Rangers contemplate a £20 million investment A new chapter in the Europa League could be invaluable for Philippe Clement, despite the potential ‘what if’ of Malmo

The Light Blues were granted a measure of retribution with their 2-0 victory in Sweden.

Andy Newport in Sweden writes that the expense of Rangers’ two previous encounters with Malmo can be measured in cups in addition to currency.

Who knows what would have happened in 2011 if they had been able to secure a £20 million Champions League lifeline as Craig Whyte began to guide the club toward a financial precipitous edge? A decade later, their defeat to the Swedes had significant repercussions, as the Liverpool legend’s decision to retire was significantly influenced by the team’s failure to advance to the group stage. This occurred at a time when the Invincibles were facing a resurgent Celtic team, led by Ange Postecoglou.

The Ibrox faithful have been compelled to observe their acrimonious rivals accumulate silverware both on and off the field in the years following both encounters. However, the significance of the Europa League victory last night could have an invaluable impact on Philippe Clement’s team if it enables the current Ibrox manager to cultivate the signs of potential that his new-look team has demonstrated in the three games since their Parkhead defeat.

Malmo manager Henrik Rydstrom issued a warning that Sweden’s champions were determined to replicate their success, as they had never lost to the Light Blues in their four previous meetings. But it was Clement’s team that began a new chapter with a stunning goal from Nedim Bajrami in the first 56 seconds, which provided Rangers with the perfect start.

They should have ended the contest long before Vaclav Cerny was replaced by Ross McCausland with 20 minutes remaining, as they missed a series of opportunities. However, it was the former academy student who was left to demonstrate how to do so to his elder team-mates, as he scored a spectacular second goal within five minutes of leaving the bench.

Ross McCausland (Image: SNS Group)

And this victory may prove to be more than just a boost to Gers’ self-assurance. Opta analysts anticipate that nine points will suffice to circumvent the competition’s revised league phase. Consequently, Clement’s team will require only two additional victories from seven games.

The only members of the Sky Blues to have started when the Gers were last in town three years ago were Malmo captain Anders Christiansen and custodian Johan Dahlin. The solitary Gers survivor was James Tavernier, the captain of Ibrox, as Neraysho Kasanwirjo made his debut at left-back.

The Moroccan vocalist, Hamza Igamane, was unexpectedly absent due to passport complications, necessitating his stay in Glasgow. He is a favorite among the new admirers. Malmo was in a state of disarray within the first minute as Gers were granted an ideal start.

Bajrami established a new record at Euro 2024 by scoring the fastest goal in tournament history against Italy in just 23 seconds. Gers found this one to be somewhat slower than the Albanian, but they still found it enjoyable.

Dahlin was left stranded as Cyriel Dessers pounced to round the keeper after Gabriel Busanello’s illicit backpass. It appeared that a tap-in was imminent; however, the Nigerian individual was able to launch his shot off a post. The enigmatic striker was fortunate to receive a deflection that fell precisely for him to tip into the vacant net, despite the startling miss.

The hosts were stunned by the goal, and it required them a full ten minutes to recover. On 18 minutes, they believed they had equalized when Isaac Kiese Thelin scored from Sergio Pena’s free kick, but the Portuguese officials realized that he was a yard offside.

As the minutes approached halftime, Clement’s team increased their attack after absorbing all that Malmo had to offer. However, they should have entered the break with a more substantial lead, as they had outgunned the Swedes by a margin of 10 shots to 1.

Just five minutes prior to the break, Cerny had a golden opportunity to establish a significant lead between the teams when Dessers and Bajrami successfully navigated the Malmo offside trap. The Czech ace had only Dahlin to beat as he raced through, but he missed the mark. He looked up at the linesman in an attempt to avoid the embarrassment of an offside call, but the flag refrained from being raised.

Dessers and Bajrami broke away moments later, and Rangers were once again involved. However, Clement was left frustrated on the touchline as neither player was willing to take the shot. The Malmo supporters acknowledged that their team was fortunate to remain in the contest and contributed to the intensity by increasing the volume.

Thelin nearly caused them to erupt when he nodded wide from another Pena set-piece. Ten minutes into the second period, Malmo eventually located their main player, Christiansen, in the exact position they desired. He was identified by a Hugo Bolin cross that was delivered 15 yards from the goal. Nevertheless, the Danish international made an exuberant effort.

After the interval, Rangers’ forays forward were significantly less frequent than they were before. Initially, it appeared that their finishing would be no crisper, as Dessers once again infuriated Clement by squandering another immense opportunity.

However, the Belgian manager was soon overjoyed when substitute McCausland awarded the Ibrox team a crucial second. Tavernier’s wide free-kick was cleared by Pontus Jansson to the outskirts of the box, and the Northern Ireland youth was the first to recognize the opportunity. He quickly gained possession and fired the ball into the net from a distance of 20 yards.

‘Best in Scotland’: Rangers target informed he would start ahead of Barron and Diomande, with a potential £4 million fee

Although this is a team that is currently in a state of flux, the midfield duo of Mohamed Diomande and Connor Barron has the potential to serve as the backbone of the Rangers for years to come.

As part of that substantial summer overhaul, both athletes were recruited.

In the second half of the previous season, the former followed in the footsteps of ex-Aberdeen captain Ryan Jack, who secured a permanent £4.5 million contract after an impressive loan tenure from FC Nordsjaelland.

Connor Barron, who is already one of the first names on Philippe Clement’s team-sheet, has been praised by Rangers predecessor Jack after he dispelled any apprehensions that he would struggle to adjust to the transition from Pittodrie to Ibrox. He is an almost constant presence.

And although fans have yet to witness the full potential of Barron’s midfield partner this season—Barry Ferguson, a Rangers hero, predicted that Mohamed Diomande would reach a new level, but his performance has been inconsistent since then—a pair of technically gifted yet tenacious 22-year-olds should establish the groundwork for a new-look team to be built from the ruins of the previous regime.

Photo by Kristian Skeie – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Lennon Miller would be starting in place of Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande for the Rangers.

Nevertheless, there is a single player in the Scottish Premiership who has the potential to replace both Barron and Diomande in Clement’s starting lineup.

Andy Halliday, at least, subscribes to this perspective. The former Gers stalwart who has been left astounded and speechless by the extraordinary maturity exhibited by 18-year-old Lennon Miller at Motherwell.

When asked if Miller would begin at Rangers, Halliday responds, “Oh, yeah, every week for me, personally.” “He is engaged in a game, regardless of the individual.”

Miller continues to astound those who questioned whether his promotion to Motherwell’s first team would be a classic case of “too much too soon,” as he has already made over 30 Premiership appearances.

In the meantime, Nils Koppen, the recruitment director, is enthusiastic about establishing Rangers as the home of the most exceptional young Scottish talent. It is therefore unsurprising that the Glasgow heavyweights have been monitoring Miller in recent months.

Halliday suggests that his former employers would likely be required to pay a fee of approximately £4 million in order to persuade Motherwell to sell.

The veteran is also certain that Miller would be a resounding success at his former club, despite the limited opportunities that were available to another adolescent midfielder who transferred from Fir Park to Ibrox.

In 2022, Bailey Rice joined the Gers after declining a new contract with The Steelmen.

Rangers have already been encouraged by Barry Ferguson to acquire the Motherwell wonderkid.

“I have harbored this grievance against Scottish clubs, particularly Celtic and Rangers, for an extended period,” Halliday continues. “Bailey Rice and Lennon Miller were teammates on the Motherwell team, and it appears that Bailey Rice was ahead of Lennon Miller.”

“Observe the two of them at this time.” Bailey Rice has likely played 3 games for the Rangers, but his minutes were inconsequential.

“In my opinion, Lennon is the most exceptional young player in Scotland.” I am of the opinion that there is no one who is even marginally near.

“For an extended period, Motherwell has likely been one of the most successful teams in Scotland in terms of providing opportunities for young players.”

A genuine Ibrox icon recently encouraged Rangers to pursue two of the nation’s most promising prospects. Rangers implemented Ferguson’s recommendation regarding Connor Barron.

It remains to be seen whether they intend to incorporate Miller into their most recent project acquisition.

The Daily Record was informed by Ferguson that “Lennon Miller is the young man who has jumped out at me every time I have seen him play.” “The young man from Motherwell possesses an extraordinary talent.” I was present at the encounter at Ibrox when he made his league debut by coming off the substitute.

“He was sixteen years old.” It was a fantastic experience to observe. I was aware of the presence of a player from that moment on.