Sabatini predicts Rangers success for Umar Sadiq, but wants one key improvement

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Rangers are reportedly set to bring Umar Sadiq to Ibrox.

Sampdoria director Walter Sabatini has told the Sunday Post (p11, Post Match, 01/07/2018) that he thinks Umar Sadiq will do ‘very well’ for Rangers once his move is completed.

The Gers have been active in the summer transfer market, as they have brought in Allan McGregor, Jon Flanagan, Nikola Katic, Connor Goldson, Scott Arfield and Ovie Ejaria, whilst a permanent deal for loanee Jamie Murphy has also been tied up.

New manager Steven Gerrard is continuing to look for new additions, and having mostly focused on his back line and midfield so far, attacking reinforcements are now needed at Ibrox.

Whilst a host of wingers have been linked, striker targets have been a little rarer for Rangers, with Roma’s Umar Sadiq seemingly the leading candidate to bolster Gerrard’s attacking options.

Sadiq, 21, joined Roma from Spezia in 2015, and has scored twice in six outings for the Italian giants, whilst he has also spent time out on loan with Bologna, Torino and, most recently, NAC Breda.

Five goals in 12 games for the latter is an impressive record, and the 6ft 4in Nigerian is set for a move to Ibrox according to STV, with a season-long loan deal poised for completion.

Now, the man who brought the young striker to Roma, Walter Sabatini, has told the Sunday Post (p11, Post Match, 01/07/2018) that he thinks Sadiq will be a success as he has ‘height, good technique and finishing ability’.

Sabatini, now with Sampdoria, noted that he thinks Sadiq is still inexperienced and needs help from manager Gerrard, urging the striker to show more determination in order to be a success in Britain.

“I expect Umar to do very well,” said Sabatini. “I say that because I believe he has so many of the key skills you look for in a striker – height, good technique and finishing ability. Importantly for Rangers, too, he is a smart boy who knows how to apply himself. We have to remember though that he is still young an inexperienced. Because of that, he needs someone to look up to who can direct him and make sure he doesn’t make the mistakes that players of his age so often do.”

“In particular, I think he maybe needs to show a little more determination in his play, especially if he is making the switch to the British game. I believe Gerrard, with his great experience as a player for both Liverpool and England, should be perfect for him in this regard,” he added.