Why Ryan Naderi has been 'unfairly criticised' at Rangers

Ryan Naderi was Rangers' hero in the Old Firm derby on Sunday.

The 23-year-old scored the only goal of the game as Rangers defeated Celtic 1-0 at Parkhead.

It followed on from a 3-0 victory over the Bhoys in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals at Ibrox the week prior.

Derek McInnes' side are consequently just two points adrift of Celtic in the Scottish Premiership heading into the international break.

For Naderi, it marked a fourth goal of the season in all competitions for Rangers, and his seventh since joining from Hansa Rostock in January.

Former Celtic player Peter Grant explained why he thinks Naderi has been unfairly criticised at times since making the move to Rangers.

Ryan Naderi importance to Rangers explained

Naderi has faced criticism at times for a lack of goal output at Rangers.

Certainly, the likes of Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti - both of whom are injured - are probably better finisers than Naderi.

But for Grant, it is Naderi's work off the ball that has been so crucial to Rangers in their back-to-back wins over Celtic.

Moreover, he thinks his tireless efforts off the ball is what his Rangers team-mates will absolutely love about playing with him.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Grant said: "I dont think Rangers would be able to play how they've played the last two games against Celtic with the two strikers if Lawrence was playing.

"I don't think that would be the case, one of them would be maybe partnering them, running the channels, which isn't Lawrence's strength but he's the best finisher of them all there's no doubt about that.

"But it takes more than that, you have to work your socks off, put them under pressure.

"Taking the ball late in the game, (Naderi's) ran down the side of the pitch, making it difficult for Carter-Vickers or Trusty or Kieran Tierney out on that part of the pitch, he did it constantly throughout the game.

"But every time I've seen him against Celtic I think he's done that, I think he's been unfairly criticised. Because I think whoever's playing alongside him will always get the benefit because he works so hard.

"You ask any striker they love a partner like that, might not get as many goals but the work ethic he puts in and gives you the opportunity to do other things."

Ryan Naderi does the hard yards for Rangers

Strikers are always judged by their output, especially at Rangers when there is a real demand for forwards to score goals.

But Naderi brings so much effort, workrate, and toil to Rangers, and he has been crucial this past couple of weeks.

If Rangers can get their creative players firing on all cylinders, then chances will come for Naderi to improve his goal return.

His team-mates certainly appreciate the legwork he does, though, and if Rangers are to win trophies this season then Naderi is going to have a big role to play in that.