Ibrox View: Euro sensation who tore Rangers to shreds could be inspired swoop this summer
RANGERS OPINION
Sometimes it feels as if it is impossible for Rangers to be interested in a player without Celtic also showing some kind of eagerness to snap him up too.
Time and time again we see both Old Firm sides linked to the same player, and it’s happened once again with Atletico Madrid youngster Rodrigo Riquelme.
A recent report from the Scottish Sun suggests that the Hoops are keeping close tabs on the 20-year-old, who is approaching the end of his contract with the La Liga giants.
The Gers have been linked with him too, but the situation on their part is a little bit more complex.
Bear with us on this one.
Spanish outlet Marca reported last month that Steven Gerrard’s men are keen on the wide man, and hope to land him in the coming months.
However, it is understood that the possibility of him signing a new deal in Madrid is not entirely off the table just yet.
But La Razon suggest that a new deal could actually give the Gers an edge in the race to snap Riquelme up, as he could be used as a makeweight in a potential deal to take Alfredo Morelos to the Spanish capital.
It’s all fairly circumstantial, granted, but if the Gers do end up actively pursuing the youngster, what sort of player would they be getting?
So far this season, he has averaged 1.8 more dribbles per game than Ryan Kent, as well as having a superior crossing accuracy rate, higher xG, and more shots on target, as per Wyscout.
And we saw the full effect of his talent when he recorded two assists in a 4-0 drubbing of Rangers U19s in the UEFA Youth League in February.
The first came from a wicked set piece delivery which left our young stopper stranded in no-man’s land, but the second – pictured above – was a great illustration of Riquelme’s trickery and tenacity.
Just prior to this image being taken, the youngster had slipped over and could have easily let the ball run by him.
Instead, he got up, chased it down and turned it into a goal.
Having regained possession, he then stands up to his man, slowing play right down.
Notice how his head is up and he is looking for a teammate though.
This isn’t a player who has run out of ideas, but rather one who is calm and confident enough to take things down a notch to press reset on the attack.
Riquelme then carves out a wonderful pass to a teammate on the edge of the box, who goes on to score.
With one ball he takes out four Rangers players, and threads the eye of a needle in doing so.
It’s precise, it shows great awareness, and as damaging as it was on the night, it would suggest that if we can bring him to Ibrox this summer, he could be a great addition to the squad.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox Exclusive: Bruce backs Gers to ‘tie up’ major summer swoop despite ‘kick in the teeth’.