Rangers manager Danny Rohl has tipped Ryan Naderi for a breakthrough season at Ibrox, insisting the German striker will benefit from a full pre-season with the club.
The 22-year-old arrived from Hansa Rostock in the winter transfer window for a fee of £4.3 million. Naderi scored twice in 11 appearances for Rangers before a season-ending injury shortly after the Premiership split.
Rohl, however, is confident that his compatriot will return to Glasgow revitalised and ready to make a significant impact. The Rangers boss praised Naderi's immediate contribution, stating that the forward had already shown the qualities the club saw in him.
Rohl backs Naderi to shine
Speaking about the striker, Rohl said: "Ryan has had a very positive influence on the team. I wouldn't say he has exceeded expectations, but he has managed to bring to the pitch exactly what we saw in him."
He added: "Now he simply needs a full pre-season with the team. Then Ryan will be consistently available and even better. When he arrived in the winter, he had to perform immediately — we threw him straight into the team. And he did."
Rohl also drew a comparison between Naderi and RB Leipzig forward Yussuf Poulsen, highlighting Naderi's relentless work rate and readiness on the pitch.
Comparison with German legend
In an interview in his homeland, Rohl reiterated the comparison he first made when unveiling Naderi, likening him to Germany and Bayern Munich icon Thomas Muller.
"He's a powerful player and he has incredible running intensity. I don't want to put too much pressure on him, but he has a fantastic ability to find space. Like Thomas Muller sometimes does," Rohl explained.
"There are moves where he makes the right decision at the right moment. His old club Hansa Rostock missed out on promotion and you never know, but in hindsight, perhaps it was because Ryan wasn't there anymore."
Naderi's absence from the Rangers squad was keenly felt during the run-in, but Rohl is optimistic that the striker will return stronger and more integrated into the team after a full pre-season.
