Barry Ferguson ‘impressed’ with Rangers new boy Antonio Colak
Barry Ferguson has heaped praise on Rangers newly-signed striker Antonio Colak and stated that he is “impressed” by his impact at the Ibrox Stadium.
The 28-year-old joined the Gers in the ongoing transfer window in a deal worth £1.8 million plus add-ons from Greek club PAOK [Sky Sports].
Ferguson, in a column for Daily Record, suggested that the Colak has been criticised unfairly by some quarters in Scottish football.
“He’s [Colak] taken a bit of unfair stick if you ask me,” he said. “I know patience is in scarce supply here in Glasgow but it’s unfair to be judging a guy two games in, especially when he was largely starved of service against Livi and over in Belgium in the game with Union Saint-Gilloise.
“OK, he doesn’t link up to the same extent that Alfredo Morelos does but he’s a different kind of player and what he does do is put the ball in the back of the net. I’m delighted for the big man after the way he’s shut up a few of his critics.
“The move that produced his goal the other night was slick and sublime but his first-time finish was just as good as the stuff Tom Lawrence, Steven Davis and James Tavernier produced in the build-up. I reckon he’s probably only had six proper chances since joining the club and he’s scored four of them.
“He’s got Morelos breathing down his neck so he needs to keep it up but I’m so impressed by what he’s done so far.”
Important
Rangers came into this campaign hoping to improve on the last season’s performances where the side finished as the runners-up in the UEFA Europa League and won the Scottish Cup as well.
One of the reasons why the Gers struggled at the back end of the last season was because of having lack of firepower in the final third, especially after an injury to attacking midfielder Ianis Hagi.
Therefore, it was imperative that manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst must go out and secure another forward and he did that by bringing in Colak who was extremely impressive against Rangers last season.
It has been a slightly slow start for the 28-year-old but looking at his numbers, Ferguson do have a point that if a striker scores four times in just six clear-cut chances, then there is no way he deserves criticism.
The only problem is that when Colak is not contributing in the final third, he brings very little on to the table for the fans and pundits to appreciate.
However, with a long season ahead, it is important that Bronckhorst will give his newly-signed forward a long run and ensure that he will become an integral part of the squad.
In other Rangers news, Ross Wilson now has names lined up just in case Alfredo Morelos seals his exit this summer