“Rangers Eye Niasse to Strengthen Midfield Dynamics Before Season Kickoff”
Glasgow Rangers have started their summer rebuilding efforts at Ibrox, but there’s still much to do. With only three weeks until the season opener, Philippe Clement aims to sign at least three or four more players to expedite the process.
The oldest recruit so far is 28-year-old Liam Kelly, indicating that the Belgian manager is focused on the future. While this strategy might yield benefits in the coming years, the Ibrox fans are notoriously hard to please, making some experienced signings necessary.
Recently, Rangers have been linked with a midfielder from the Swiss top league, who could potentially emulate Steven Davis for the team.
Interest in Senegalese midfielder
Reports suggest that Rangers have contacted BSC Young Boys midfielder Cheikh Niasse to bring him to Scotland this summer.
The transfer fee for the 24-year-old remains undisclosed, and it’s uncertain if Young Boys are willing to sell one of their key players before the new season.
If Clement succeeds, Niasse could provide a playing style similar to Davis, whose absence has been felt in Rangers’ midfield.
Comparison between Cheikh Niasse and Steven Davis
During his second stint at Rangers, Davis was pivotal, especially in the 2020/21 title-winning season. He had an 89% pass success rate, averaged 81.7 touches per game, and was rarely dribbled past (0.7 times per game).
For Young Boys, Niasse concluded the season with an 83% pass success rate and averaged 48.7 touches in 22 starts, highlighting his potential in the midfield.
Defensively, Niasse excels, ranking in the top 4% for blocks per 90 minutes (2.02) and the top 1% for interceptions per 90 minutes (2.69) compared to his positional peers in similar leagues to the Swiss top flight. This shows that his performance stands out not only within his team but also among players from other leagues.
Kai Watson, founder of Rangers Journal, praised the African talent on social media, describing Niasse as “a strong, ball-winning midfielder who’s capable going forward. A good ball carrier and passer of the ball, Cheikh Niasse is the perfect profile for what we’re needing in the middle of the pitch.”
Niasse’s ability to pass and advance play is reminiscent of Steven Davis, making him an ideal candidate for Clement’s strategy to gain control in matches next season, an area where the club struggled towards the end of the 2023/24 campaign. Pairing him with another summer arrival, Mohamed Diomande, could be highly beneficial.
Diomande also brings similar qualities, averaging 1.5 key passes per match and 1.5 tackles per game for Rangers last season.
If Rangers secure Niasse and pair him with Diomande, it could prove to be an excellent transfer move.