Rangers revival built on Naderi’s unorthodox impact

Ryan Naderi has emerged as a decisive figure in Rangers’ turnaround under Derek McInnes, scoring a first-half double against Kilmarnock to maintain momentum after the extended international break.

The German-born Czech Republic striker’s brace sealed a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock and lifted Rangers to the top of the Scottish Premiership, a point clear of Celtic who visit Motherwell on Sunday. It was the club’s sixth consecutive league win and seventh win in a row in all competitions following their European exit.

Much of the focus has been on an improved defensive record, with just one league goal conceded in the previous five Premiership games, that record blemished only by Nicky Clesenco’s late Kilmarnock consolation. Up front, Naderi is providing the end product.

‘Reminds me a lot of Thomas Muller’

Former Rangers forward Peter Lovenkrands has been impressed by Naderi’s unorthodox game.

“Naderi at times does things where you’re like ‘How did he do that?’” Lovenkrands said on BBC Sportsound. “He reminds me a lot of Thomas Muller – he’s not nice on the eye at times, but he creates stuff because he’s so unorthodox.”

Naderi now has three goals in his past two league games, having scored the winner in Rangers’ 1-0 league win away to Celtic before the break. The 23-year-old signed from German third-tier side Hansa Rostock in February and managed just one league goal last season, plus two in a League Cup rout of Queen’s Park, leading to initial scepticism about his ability to lead the line.

That assessment has changed in the absence of injured team-mates Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti. Naderi has six goals and three assists in the recent run, often key interventions, including a crucial assist in the late win over St Mirren when Bojan Miovski scored a vital winner, and winners against Motherwell and Celtic.

McInnes praises ‘honest boy’

McInnes agreed Naderi, who made his Czech Republic debut last week, has stepped up at a key moment.

“Yes, and fair play to him,” McInnes said. “He’s always such an honest boy, he’s willing to put defenders under pressure. I’ve always felt as a striker that if the ball goes in the box, he’ll score his goals. He’s not the type of striker that creates a lot for himself, so he needs that service. If we put the ball in the box, as we did in the first half, then he looks a threat. He’s had such a good few weeks. Everybody’s so pleased for him. We need someone who would regularly be the goalscorer here at the club.”

McInnes cited fatigue and the long break as reasons Rangers did not push on from a 3-0 half-time lead against Kilmarnock, with the visitors pulling one back and having six efforts on target to Rangers’ four.

‘You’re starting to see a Derek McInnes side’

Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday said confidence is growing around Ibrox.

“A lot of my confidence doesn’t come from Rangers being brilliant, it comes from Celtic being poor,” Halliday told BBC Sportsound. “Rangers are definitely building. They are becoming a much more predictable side – you go into games fancying them to win. You’re starting to see a Derek McInnes side – really solid defensively and creating chances.”

McInnes admitted the second-half display was “far from where we needed to be”, but insisted: “There’s a bit of understanding for me where the players have been. This break’s been far too long. But we’ve got the job done, and credit the players for digging deep and getting three points.” Rangers now look set for a first league title since 2021 as they sit top for the first time this season.