Why Danny Rohl must give Nasser Djiga well-deserved credit after recent Rangers trend
Nasser Djiga has often been the scapegoat at times for Rangers this season.
I watched the Bears’ disappointing 1-1 draw to Motherwell at Fir Park on Wednesday, and I’ve got to say, the centre-back played very well.
Danny Rohl had confirmed that Emmanuel Fernandez was back fit for the Gers heading into the clash, and I for sure thought he was going to replace Djiga against the Steelmen.
That’s not because I don’t rate the defender, but more so because it seems like he’s an easy target to pick on, and someone whose easy for Rohl to axe in starting lineups.
When players aren’t playing well, everyone is, of course, entitled to their opinion, but as seen with multiple stars at Ibrox this season, it’s not always fair to write someone off early doors.
That’s the case with Djiga at Rangers.
Nasser Djiga has been playing consistently well for Rangers; the ratings prove it
As highlighted by Sofascore, Djiga won 100 per cent of both his ground and aerial duels against Motherwell, and the late goal that was conceded was definitely not his fault.
There were shouts to terminate Djiga’s loan after poor performances for the Bears earlier this campaign, with the centre-half still set to return to Wolves at the end of the season.
But Rohl should now be encouraging the 23-year-old after multiple performances that deserve credit.
| Game | Rating |
| Motherwell vs Rangers | 6.9 |
| Rangers vs Kilmarnock | 7.4 |
| Rangers vs Dundee FC | 6.9 |
| Rangers vs Hibernian | 7.1 |
| Kilmarnock vs Rangers | 7.1 |
| Dundee United vs Rangers | 7.2 |
There’s been a particular shift in his performances since he returned from the African Cup of Nations, and he looks to be playing without fear, going into duels, and more often than not, winning them.
I would even go as far as to say that the Bears should look into signing him permanently in the summer, for the right price.
If anything, Djiga has been a big reason why the Bears have continued their push up the Scottish Premiership table, with Rangers’ defence proving hard to score past in recent times.
Russell Martin blurred everyone’s view of Djiga; here’s why
It goes without saying, but Russell Martin brought out the worst in everyone, particularly Djiga, who suffered a lot through the head coach’s playstyle.
Martin had a heavy emphasis on having the Gers keep possession, but a poor trend showed of the players not being able to do anything with it.
This led to Djiga having the ball at his feet in times when Ibrox was filled with anxiety, which would have only affected his game.
Clumsy passes and touches led to his early downfall in Glasgow, and Martin can only be blamed for it. Djiga deserves his flowers at Rangers and is giving John Souttar a run for his money, especially when Fernandez comes back into the mix.
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