Rangers’ new boss Pedro Caixinha is reportedly targeting Ghanaian defender Rashid Sumaila.
New Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha in the stands
Pedro Caixinha has now been confirmed as the new Rangers manager – and reports suggest that he is already eyeing potential transfer targets.
The Portuguese boss was in the stands to watch Rangers grab a 1-1 draw away at Old Firm rivals Celtic on Sunday afternoon, with Clint Hill’s late equaliser cancelling out Stuart Armstrong’s opener.
Caixinha will now start work at Ibrox ahead of next weekend’s clash with Hamilton Academical, and he will be looking to analyse his squad ahead of the summer transfer window, with players no doubt set to go in and out of Ibrox.
Caixinha hadn’t even been confirmed as the new Rangers boss on Friday, but the Daily Record suggested that he would be plotting a summer move to sign defender Rashid Sumaila from former club Al-Gharafa.
Whilst Sumaila is familiar with former boss Caixinha, the centre back is far from a well-known player in Scotland – and here are five facts about the player to help Gers fans learn about their new transfer target.
1. Sumaila, 24, started his career in his native Ghana with Ebusua Dwarfs, before moving on to Asante Kotoko, and his displays earned him a 2013 move to South Africa with Mamelodi Sundowns.
2. The defender made just 22 appearances for the club before a loan move back to Asante Kotoko, and then to Kuwait with Qadsia SC, but his nomadic career continued as he joined Al-Gharafa in 2016.
General View of Ibrox Stadium
3. Sumaila was a favourite of Caixinha in Qatar, becoming a key first-team player with Al-Gharafa, notching two goals in 12 games – and his contract with Qadsia expires this summer, making him a free agent.
4. A six-cap Ghana international, Sumaila was named in the Black Stars’ 23-man squad for the 2014 World Cup, but he failed to make an appearance as Ghana crashed out of the group stage with just one point to their name.
5. Sumaila stands at just 6ft tall, which is relatively short for a centre back, but he possesses strength and aerial ability, as well as more pace than the likes of Clint Hill and Philippe Senderos, two current Rangers centre backs.
Who would you like to see Caixinha sign this summer?
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