Rangers need a striker, and should copy Celtic’s scheme of luring Manchester City’s youngsters north of the border.
Since Brendan Rodgers was given the Celtic job, the Hoops have targeted Manchester City’s next up-and-coming talents in a bid to improve their squad. It is time Rangers did the same by consider Thierry Ambrose.
Patrick Roberts and Olivier Ntcham have shined on Parkhead, with winger Roberts scoring 18 goals and laying on 26 assists in 78 games. He has now returned to City, while Ntcham enjoyed an excellent debut season after his £4.5million switch (BBC Sport).
The Hoops have also been linked with playmaker Phil Foden (Daily Record), as well as young defender Tosin Adarabioyo (Daily Record) from City’s reserves. The duo would surely thrive, if Celtic do indeed lure them to the home of the Scottish champions.
On the other end of the spectrum, Rangers have only been involved in one transfer with City of late, luring Aaron Nemane to Ibrox which turned out to be one of Pedro Caixinha’s poorest signings, as he featured for just 68 minutes.
Roberts, Foden, Adarabioyo and Ntcham were already in a much more advanced stage in terms of development compared to Nemane, and Rangers need to take it up a gear if they are to land City’s next best talent.
Rangers need to follow suit and look to land a player that has benefited from City’s excellent facilities – especially a striker. It should see the Gers consider a move for Thierry Ambrose, after his excellent loan spell at NAC Breda last season.
The France Under-18 international played alongside Rangers target Umar Sadiq last season with the Dutch outfit, scoring 10 Eredivisie goals in 30 league games – not bad for a side that finished 14th out of 18 teams.
Ambrose was part of the Man City youth set-up during current Ibrox director of football Mark Allen’s time at the Etihad as academy director, and that could see Allen persuade Ambrose to move north.
Rangers need a striker and have been linked with Sadiq, as well as many more. Celtic’s continued success of luring the next stars from Man City should have been noticed at Ibrox, and convince Steven Gerrard into following suit.
Indeed, if Gerrard could lure Ambrose to Rangers, he would be adding the perfect striker signing to a side in desperate need of raw talent if they are to catch Celtic. He must move quickly, though, with L’Equipe claiming Bordeaux and Anderlecht are keen.
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