Petar Ratkov, a name that won’t be instantly recognisable to many, however, he is the latest in a line of strikers to be linked with a summer move to Ibrox.
The 19-year old Serb is far from the finished article but when you are already being touted as the next Mario Mandzucic, then clubs are naturally going to sit up and take notice.
• Mobile target-man, can even play out wide
• Likes to drop deep, good link-up play
• Good variation in his movement
• Unselfish, does a lot of pressing, but not yet effectivePushed back the thread when his move to Anderlecht collapsed, but it’s coming in the next month.
— Serbian Football Scout (@SerbFootyScout) February 19, 2023
Looking at his skill set in terms of wanting to drop deep and link play but also of being an effective target man, Ratkov would appear to be similar in style to Alfredo Morelos when he first arrived as a fresh-faced and very raw 21-year old, not the case according to analyst Patrick Caskie who has provided a fascinating insight into the Serbian youth international.
Thrives in classic target-man situations, strong in the air, short link up with teammates and being the recipient of plenty of long balls. Get’s into plenty of good areas to score but yet to show off much clinicality, but does do plenty of of off-ball work. Can play on the left. https://t.co/rvk43fW5I1 pic.twitter.com/v7QV3DzoJ2
— Patrick Caskie (@patrickcaskie) February 19, 2023
According to Patrick, Ratkov actually shares more traits with Antonio Colak when compared statistically but, given his age, the Serbian does have plenty of time to develop his weaknesses and become a more consistent and more rounded striker. He also shares a similarity with Giorgios Giakoumakis which is no bad thing.
He’s certainly more similar to Colak than Morelos, given they both share certain weaknesses in their game I’m unsure you could carry both of them in a 3/4 man ST rotation. pic.twitter.com/10z1NBblLu
— Patrick Caskie (@patrickcaskie) February 19, 2023
This isn’t a market that we tend to shop in especially when it comes to forwards but Ratkov has a lot of physical qualities that suggest that first team football isn’t too big a leap for him – he wouldn’t be getting signed with a view to playing him in the B team put it that way.
A £2million fee was said to be enough in January when Parma and Anderlecht were sniffing about but, if he continues his current form, that price tag is only going to go in one direction.
Ross Wilson needs to move quickly when the window opens if he wants to sign a player destined for the very top.
It says that he`s yet to show much clinicality which I assume means he doesn`t finish well which means he`s not similar to Colak , similar to Itten more like .He would be okay as a development project but we need a guaranteed goal scorer if Alfie goes.
He’s similar in terms of style of play and current statistical output across every metric such as build up play, can he dribble or play team mates in, goal scoring is the obvious difference but he’s only 19 and that is usually – as I say in the article – the last thing to be fine tuned as a young striker. I don’t think he would be getting signed as a direct replacement for Morelos but more as one of the 3/4, Morelos wasn’t signed to be first choice remember and he turned out alright.