Ryan Naderi started the campaign with his sights set on the 3. Liga silverware and was happy to shoulder the responsibility of leading the line and the title charge for Hansa Rostock.
Now he is bidding to land the Premiership silverware with Rangers. Once again, the 22-year-old will assume his share of the burden and is sure that he can rise to the challenge that he has signed up for.
Naderi was the fourth and final arrival of the winter window for Danny Rohl. After adding in defence, midfield and attack, the move for the striker saw Rohl strengthen at centre-forward. A fee approaching £5million was evidence of the faith Rangers have in Naderi, as well as an indication of their need to find a cutting edge for the final weeks of the campaign.
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It would be unfair, of course, to place all of that pressure on his shoulders. On Wednesday night, the goals were shared around as James Tavernier scored from the spot and Bojan Miovski, Andreas Skov Olsen, Oliver Antman and Mikey Moore found the target in the win over Kilmarnock that moved Rangers to within three points of Hearts.
As Rohl stressed afterwards, any bid for the silverware must be a collaborative effort. Naderi has arrived in Glasgow well aware of the situation and ready to embrace the demands.
“There are huge expectations here and I know what we have to do here,” Naderi said. “For me personally, I just want to score goals and make a good impact in the games. Of course, the main target is to be on the top of the table and win the league.
“I mean, you always have dreams, but I’d be lying if I said it would come like this. But it was definitely on my mind to make a good impression at Rostock then make the next step.
“Right now, my main focus is on here because we want to win the league. That’s what we’re trying to do. I’m just proud to wear the jersey of Rangers and that’s where my focus is.
“Definitely, I’m ready. That’s why I’m here, it’s already been discussed. The people here also know how I work. We’ve had conversations and I’m the type who can work with the pressure. I know what it means for the people and I’m ready to give 100 per cent.”
That level of effort was evident in Naderi’s first minutes on the park. He was introduced to partner Miovski rather than replace him as Rohl’s hint that he could utilise two strikers was put into action at the first attempt. After a low-key opening period, Rangers moved through the gears after the break as Naderi, Skov Olsen and Tuur Rommens all impressed.
It capped a whirlwind turn of events for Naderi. He left Germany on Monday morning not knowing whether he would be a Rangers player by the close of business. In the end, it all went to plan and he savoured his minutes in front of the Ibrox crowd.
“Wow, it was unbelievable to be honest,” Naderi said. “I was a bit nervous just because it’s a big step for me. I tried to enjoy every second of it and it was an amazing feeling.
“It was stressful [on deadline day] but I tried to enjoy it because it’s such a big step for me. I was very excited all the time and I just wanted to get the deal done.
“It was pretty stressful because I got a call in the night. I had to hurry up because deadline day was coming. I got on a plane and did my medical in Manchester. I then went to Glasgow to do things here. I was just happy everything was done in time.
“I’m just happy to be here. Of course, I noticed that negotiations were ongoing for the summer as well. But I’m just glad to be here now. I can give my input to the team and try to win the title.
“That’s the reason I’m here. I just want to achieve big things and win silverware - that’s why I’m here. I’m looking forward to getting it done.”
As outlined by the Rangers Review earlier this week, the Ibrox hierarchy are keen to not pile the pressure on Naderi in his first months in Scottish football. He has been signed for what he can do in the years to come as much as what he will do in the here and now.
Rohl will use him wisely alongside Miovski and Youssef Chermiti. The visit of Queen’s Park on Sunday perhaps gives the former Dynamo Dresden forward a chance to get his first start and his first goal for Rangers.
Rohl revealed that he had received messages from colleagues in Germany outlining Naderi’s likeness to a hero from yesteryear and a star of today. The words of his manager meant just as much to the man himself.
“That’s a big honour, definitely,” Naderi said of the comparisons with Fredi Bobic and Nick Woltemade. “I appreciate it but I will always try to play my own game, not compare to someone else. I will try to focus on my own strengths. But it’s a big honour to be compared to those names.
“It was a very nice first meeting [with the manager]. It’s easier for me to be able to speak German to him, that’s a big advantage. It was a good conversation because it wasn’t only about football.
“It was about trying to know how the other person works and thinks in his head as well. We also talked about how I can help the team. He gave me a very good feeling about that and I’m just happy to be here.”
When it comes to playing styles, Naderi has little in common with another famous German. If he can make as big an impression as Jorg Albertz did at Ibrox, he will go on to repay the faith and the fee many times over.
“I’ve already said those are big footsteps to follow,” Naderi said. “I will try my best to be as good as possible. It’s a big honour to already be mentioned with those names.
“That’s also part of the pressure because expectations are so high. But I’m ready to fight for everything.”
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