Hampus Skoglund: Rangers target has 'phenomenal' trait that Danny Rohl needs

Hampus Skoglund has previously been tipped for the top by his former Hammarby manager Kim Hellberg, with Rangers sure to love his assessment.

Right-back is known to be a priority position that Rangers are looking to strengthen at this summer, after the departure of club legend James Tavernier.

Finding his successor is going to be easier said than done though, as Tavernier's boots would be incredibly big for anyone to fill at Ibrox.

Hammarby's Skoglund, however, may have as good a chance as any, with the Swedish youth international now a proven star in his homeland.

The 22-year-old has been starring in Sweden's Allsvenskan over the past few years, and now looks ready for a new challenge.

A move to Rangers would present him with that test, but if the words of his old boss Hellberg are anything to go by, he might just pass it with flying colours.

What did Kim Hellberg say about Hampus Skoglund?

If there's one key trait that Tavernier's replacement will surely need to bring to Govan, it's the threat he carried in attack.

Indeed, there were no better in Scottish football than Tavernier in his position for attacking production, so Danny Rohl will surely want to bring in a player who ticks that box.

Speaking with Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen in May 2024, then-Hammarby head coach Hellberg waxed lyrical over Skoglund's abilities.

"He (Skoglund) is unique with his running abilities...He is phenomenal there and already at a very high level," the now-Middlesbrough manager said of the reported Rangers target.

"He is involved a lot in the offensive, which means that it becomes a huge distance to be able to keep up with both his head and body.

"Physically, he has no problem playing matches all the time. Hampus is a huge person who always wants to get better.

"He has all the qualities to be able to be as good as possible."

Skoglund has proven Hellberg right

It's one thing for Hellberg to say the Skoglund has these traits, but it's down to the player himself to prove so.

But that's precisely what he's been doing for Hammarby, with his underlying numbers proving he'd bring exactly what Hellberg said he's got to Rangers if he signs.

As per FotMob, no right-back in Allsvenskan during the 2026 season so far has won more possessions in the final third (eight) than Skoglund has this term.

Meanwhile, he also leads his rival right-backs in Sweden's top flight for tackles won (35) and touches in the opposition box (31) respectively.

In addition to that, his 509 successful passes, eight blocked shots and 61 duels won respectively, rank him in the top 5.3 percentile of his positional peers.

So then, Skoglund has got the evidence to back up Hellberg's appraisal of his qualities, and should hand Rangers all the confidence they need to go and secure his signature this summer.