Gerrard backs new arrival Itten to be ‘big player’ for Rangers this season
Steven Gerrard has backed Rangers new boy Cedric Itten to be a “big player” at Ibrox this season.
The Switzerland international arrived in Glasgow last week alongside former Leeds United striker Kemar Roofe, with Gerrard looking to bolster his forward line ahead of his side’s title push this season.
And the 23-year-old came on to make his debut for the Gers in the 3-0 win over St. Mirren on Sunday afternoon.
Despite him having a fairly limited impact in the latter stages of that game, Gerrard still saw fit to sing the hitman’s praises after the match.
As quoted by BT Sport, he said: “Cedric came into the game when it was won. I think we were managing the game then, keeping the ball and not forcing the issue.
“But from what I’ve seen in the opening two or three training sessions, I think he’s going to be a big player for us.
“He has to get used to the players and used to the style.
“But there are loads of appearances for him here if he works hard and earns them, he can be a big player for us.”
Can Itten be a hit at Ibrox?
This is a really positive update from Gerrard.
It feels like a lot of the attention was focused on Roofe last week, but Itten has the potential to be a wonderful signing too.
After all, we’re talking about a player who has three goals in two matches at senior international level.
In front of goal, his stats fall just short of the ridiculously high standard set by Alfredo Morelos last term.
The Swiss had an xG that was just 0.05 lower than the Colombian’s, as well as a goals per game rate that was 0.04 lower, and a shot accuracy that was just over 2% lower, as per Wyscout.
Those are very respectable numbers, and the hope will be that he can hit the ground running and really push El Bufalo for a starting spot over the coming weeks.
In other Rangers news, Darren Fletcher has backed this Gers talent for big season in 20/21 after impressive showing v Aberdeen.