Cedric Itten is on his way back to Rangers, after Giovanni van Bronckhorst utilised the recall option in his loan to Greuther Furth in the Bundesliga.
It has been said that a phonecall between manager and player found common ground in terms of the desired role for the striker as well as intent for what can lie ahead.
The Swiss international leaves Germany, with Furth at rock bottom of the Bundesliga table but despite limited opportunities, he is one of very few players to score more than one goal for them this season. Their decision to part with the striker was met with some surprise by Kicker, with the relative impact noted:
“Itten was one of only three players in the squad who have more than this season. He scored in the 1-3 against Bayern and in the 1-2 against Eintracht Frankfurt, only Branimir Hrgota (four goals this season, including three penalties) and Jamie Leweling (three) have more. Itten’s problem’ – he’s a penalty box striker with good finishing qualities and has to be served in the area, but the Shamrocks have attacked the danger zone less and less recently and when they did, it came via counterattack.”
Fit
The issue above won’t be lost on GvB, he will already be well aware of it and the recent change in role for Alfredo Morelos will also provide a source of encouragement for Itten.
Under Steven Gerrard, he was played off the right flank or asked to come deep but that will not be the case any longer. In front of goal and between the posts will be the remit.
Yes, Cedric Itten needs to make this latest opportunity work and to find another level, but don’t forget he is a Swiss international who has shown glimpses already in a Rangers shirt and will now be fresh off a spell at a higher level in the Bundesliga.
This is a move that Rangers fans should be excited about, there is plenty more to come from Cedric Itten and he will be very determined to prove it.