‘Fantastic’ – Shaun Maloney blown away by Rangers new signing
Ex-Celtic player Shaun Maloney was thrilled by Cedric Itten’s impact as Rangers won 5-1 against Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday.
Itten, 23, came off the bench to score his first and second goals for the Light Blues since joining them from St Gallen for £2.7million last month [Sky Sports].
Steven Gerrard has only handed the Switzerland international one start in the Scottish Premiership since his arrival but the Gers boss might have a decision to make after his performance away in Lanarkshire.
Maloney has hailed Itten for the way he tucked the ball into the back of the net against Motherwell but has also noted how good a team goal it was.
“It’s a really good goal,” said Maloney on BBC Sportscene. “He does fantastic to win the long pass from [Allan] McGregor. He rotates with [Alfredo] Morelos and it’s actually [James] Tavernier’s run – it’s so good.
“It turns a pass inside to a three-versus-two and that space just allows Itten to score.
“It’s a really, really good finish.”
Itten has had a slow start to life in Scotland but those two goals against Motherwell will hopefully see the floodgates open for the Switzerland international.
Last season, Itten scored 20 goals in all competitions for St Gallen and we’re hoping that he can continue that form in the Scottish Premiership with Rangers.
Based on what we saw at Fir Park. the 23-year-old is more than capable of that but we understand that it can take time for new signings like him to settle down.
Unfortunately for Itten, he does face a lot of competition for the starting spot in Gerrard’s plans with Alfredo Morelos, Jermain Defoe, Kemar Roofe and Greg Stewart all able to play up front too.
But only one of those strikers scored two goals at the weekend and that is bound to mean a lot going into the Europa League clash with Galatasaray and a league meeting with Ross County.
In other Rangers news, fans have blasted this BBC pundit for his “desperate” claim.