Pierre van Hooijdonk backs Umar Saqid for successful Rangers move

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Glasgow Rangers are hoping to bring Umar Sadiq in to Ibrox on loan for the coming season.

Pierre van Hooijdonk has told the Sunday Mail that Roma’s Umar Sadiq is a player capable of moments of sheer magic as he seemingly edges towards a potential loan move to Rangers for next season.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to Ibrox for a little while now, but unlike many of the other targets that Rangers have either been linked with or have subsequently signed, he is not a player that the large majority of the Gers fans will have much of an idea about given that he has made less than 30 senior appearances during his career.

His record is encouraging – especially after a promising loan spell with NAC Breda where he scored five goals in 12 games – and former Celtic striker van Hooijdonk suggested that he could prove to be an inspired signing for Steven Gerrard’s men if they completed a deal this summer.

“Some of the things Sadiq will do on the pitch, you won’t believe. He can produce pieces of magic,” he told the Sunday Mail.

“He’s only 21 but he’ll do certain things which make you think, ‘How long have you been playing the game for?’ He’s a very unusual player. He’s really fast which is a big advantage in the game now.”

“He’s got a bit of the Kanu about him. He has the same kind of style,” he went on to add. “He might not be at Kanu’s level yet but he’s that type of player.”

It will be a gamble to sign Sadiq for the coming season, even on loan. He is yet to enjoy a prolonged run in any side during his brief career and, of course, is yet to gain any experience in the Scottish Premiership. However, some of the signs do provide the slightest hint that he could prove to be a fantastic addition given that his arrival will not hurt Gerrard’s budget too significantly at all.

And if they do sign the Nigeria under-23 international and van Hooijdonk’s assessment proves to be right on the money, then perhaps it could turn out to be one of the best deals that Rangers complete during what looks set to be an extremely productive summer for the Gers.