Rangers’ Ryan Naderi Confident Ahead of Conference League Showdown
Ryan Naderi expressed optimism about Rangers’ trajectory despite a lackluster performance in their Conference League play-off first leg against Jablonec. The 23-year-old German striker netted the only goal for Rangers at Ibrox, marking his second goal in consecutive matches and providing Derek McInnes’ side with a narrow advantage ahead of the upcoming away leg.
This victory marks Rangers’ second in a row following a challenging start to McInnes’ tenure that included two defeats and two draws. “We’re here to play for qualifying for European competition, so obviously the opponent is tough,” Naderi stated, acknowledging the team’s progress.
While he admitted that the first half of the match was not particularly strong, Naderi appreciated the clean sheet, stating, “That was really important.” He noted that the team had chances to score additional goals but emphasized the importance of maintaining confidence and focus.
“Second win in a row, and just keep going, stay focused, and I think that’s important,” he continued. Reflecting on previous performances, Naderi remarked, “Not everything was horrible in the games before. It’s just that we managed to win games now. But it’s still progress we’re going through, and we still have to improve, and I think we’re going in the right direction.”
His goal, which came early in the second half, may not have been “the most spectacular,” but for Naderi, the outcome was what mattered most. “I’m just happy that I somehow put it over the line,” he said. “That’s what a striker has to do and I’m just happy to help the team.”
Naderi acknowledged the absence of injured teammate Youssef Chermiti, describing him as a unique player. “We have to try as a team to fill the gap and obviously someone has to score the goals,” he added.
Rangers plan to take the Scottish Premiership weekend off before their trip to the Czech Republic, where Naderi looks forward to family support. “I’ll have family there,” he said, noting he speaks Czech. “My mum is from the Czech Republic and my grandma lives there. When I was a student I used to go on holiday there. It’s a nice match. I’ll definitely enjoy it. The match is as much important to us as any other match.”
Ryan Naderi believes Rangers are “going in the right direction” despite an unconvincing display against Jablonec in their Conference League play-off first leg.
German striker Naderi, 23, scored Rangers’ only goal at Ibrox, his second in as many games, to give Derek McInnes’ side a slender lead over the Czechs before Thursday’s away leg.
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It was a second straight victory after McInnes’ tenure had begun with two defeats and two draws.
“We’re here to play for the qualifying for European competition, so obviously the opponent is tough,” Naderi said.
“I agree that the first half wasn’t amazing but I’m happy we kept a clean sheet. That was really important.
“We had opportunities to score one, two goals more, but at the end, it’s just about keeping up the confidence. Second win in a row and just keep going, stay focused, and I think that’s important.
“Not everything was horrible in the games before. It’s just that we managed to win games now.
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“But it’s still progress we’re going through, and we still have to improve, and I think we’re going in the right direction.”
Naderi’s strike came early in the second half, and although he admits it wasn’t “the most spectacular” of goals, he says the win was most important thing.
“I’m just happy that I somehow put it over the line,” he said. “That’s what a striker has to do and I’m just happy to help the team.
“With Youssef [Chermiti injured] we miss a unique type of player but we have to try as a team to fill the gap and obviously someone has to score the goals.
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“I’m lucky to be the one who, at the moment, gets the ball over the line but it’s the whole team who has to fill this gap.”
Rangers have opted to take this Scottish Premiership weekend off before the trip to the Czech Republic.
“I’ll have family there,” Naderi told the visiting reporters in perfect Czech.
“My mum is from the Czech Republic and my grandma lives there. When I was a student I used to go on holiday there.
“It’s a nice match. I’ll definitely enjoy it. The match is as much important to us as any other match.”
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