Former Rangers right-back, Alan Hutton has made an unlikely comparison as his old club mull over making Florian Kamberi’s move from Hibernian permanent.
Speaking to Football Insider, the retired international defender has likened Kamberi’s impact against Bayer Leverkusen when he came off the bench to that of Odsonne Edouard in the league cup final in December.
So what has Hutton said?
Hutton isn’t surprised that the Glasgow giants are looking to persuade Hibs to let the forward go and said of the Ibrox club’s interest:
“I think he’s really come with that willingness to work hard, he’s shown everybody how good he can actually be. He seems to have that fire in his belly, that: ‘I’m going to prove everybody I belong here.’
“When he came on (v Leverkusen) he literally, instantly changed it. He kind of reminded me of, remember when Edouard came on in the cup final, things changed in Celtic’s favour, he was like him.”
“It does not surprise me one bit that Rangers are looking to bring him in full time. You never know what’s going to happen with Morelos. There’s always that hanging above him.”
“To have someone there that’s ready and willing to work hard and put in the effort for maybe a million [pounds], I think is a great deal.”
So is Hutton correct?
Kamberi has made an immediate impact since his January signing, providing a verve and dynamism to the Rangers attack that had been sorely missed since the winter break.
He may only have scored one goal in his short time at the club but as Hutton said, he has an ability to change a game and make an impact without Steven Gerrard having to make tactical adjustments.
Will Kamberi be at Rangers next season?
Yes
No
Alfredo Morelos will be in demand when the transfer window given the speculation before Christmas and the number of goals he has scored this season – particularly in the Europa League – but Kamberi isn’t the man to replace him,
Ross Wilson, as Sporting Director will have a list of names to replace the Colombian but Kamberi won’t be one of them, the 25-year-old will, however, be seen as a better option to those that have failed to score or create the goals since the winter break to keep the pressure on Celtic which ultimately has cost the their place in the title race.