Rangers found themselves up S*** Creek without a padel last year. But judging by the racket of laughter Derek McInnes has been serving up off the pitch this summer, Ryan Naderi is convinced he’s the right man to steer the Ibrox side to better times on it.
Two months have passed since Danny Rohl’s side found themselves in a mess of their own making after allowing their nerve to crumble under the weight of the title pressure. With the Premiership crown there for the taking, all Gers had to do was keep swinging. Instead, they suffered a collective collapse with a run of four straight defeats just after the split pushing the Light Blue legions beyond their break point.
Ultimately, it was that dismal finish that paved the way for Rohl’s departure to RB Salzburg and the arrival of McInnes from Hearts.
Building team spirit
The new boss has wasted little time getting down to work on the training pitch as he looks to construct a team that can handle the title pinch points. But just as vital, says Naderi, is the efforts McInnes is putting in away from the training ground as he looks to form a team spirit that can take Rangers all the way.
That started last week during the club’s warm-weather camp in Spain where among the various off-field activities laid on by McInnes was a padel competition aimed at lifting morale and raising smiles. It’s worked so far and frontman Naderi reckons the new boss has already hit the sweet spot.
He said: “I’ve like pre-season so far. It’s been hard work mixed with fun. Obviously pre-season is about hard work and getting prepared for a long season but I think especially with trips and activities you do together as a team it is about chemistry as well. I think we are doing well with this point as well.”
McInnes’s authority and humour
Naderi added: “I’ve like working with the new manager. Obviously every coach has different aspects. I like the mixture between authority, that you respect what he says, but also he also is there for a laugh. I like the combination. He is talking to players, he gives the players a good feeling. I enjoy working under him.
“I think this is exactly the mixture you need. That's what I said when asked about pre-season. It's about hard work, it's about putting in effort but it's always easier when you enjoy doing it and I think this is going well so far.”
On the padel tournament, Naderi said: “I feel like he’s tried to bring the group together. For example, what I like to remember is that we played a round of padel. I know it's a simple thing, but for me you let the players play with each other, give them a bit of freedom as well and to enjoy the pre-season as well. Am I the best? I don't want to say but Nedim Bajrami is sadly really good!
“Obviously, this is just a tiny part of the intense pre-season we had. We did a lot of runs as well, of course. We just want to get to the highest level of our fitness and be ready to go for a long season.”
McInnes’s Ibrox pedigree
The time for fun and games will soon come to an end as Gers turn their focus to the real business. And McInnes has left no room for doubt about what is important at Ibrox. A hero of the nine-in-a-row era, the new boss knows exactly what is required to success in Scotland. And it’s already made an impression on Naderi.
He said: “I feel you notice that the coach has been a player here. That is the biggest change. You feel that every team he speaks he speaks about identifying with this club and he is trying to put this over to his players and it is working.
“I feel it's always easier if you've worked with this club before. You just went through the perspective of a player. You just know what the fans expect and how to handle those situations. I think it's obviously a big advantage.”
Naderi settling in
Naderi is not only adjusting to a new boss but still also to life in a new city following his January move from German club Hansa Rostock. His signing was greeted as the final piece of the jigsaw needed to put Gers in the frame for prizes last term. But a grand total of three goals wasn’t much of a return on the £5million Gers shelled out for the 23-year-old. However, he’s determined to look more at home in the Ibrox ranks in the season ahead.
Asked how he was settling into Glasgow, he said: “It's a big difference. My old club was big as well so I don't want to disrespect them. They had a big fan base as well but obviously with Rangers it's something new you can't compare to anything else in this world.
“It's just a privilege to play for Rangers and play under those fans. I think that's part of why you become a footballer because you want those moments, play in front of those crowds. I enjoy every second of it.
“But you have to prove yourself every day. It was the same under the old manager. Nothing has changed now. It's every day training, taking every session seriously, performing to your maximum. We'll see how things go.
“Having a pre-season here will definitely help. I feel like having a full pre-season is always easier for the player. You always need a small amount of time. Some need a bit longer, some need a bit less. But it's different from every player. You need a bit of time to adapt to a new league, a new country as well. But I'm feeling better than ever.”
Upcoming friendly
McInnes will give his men their first public work-out on Wednesday night when they host French side St Etienne at Ibrox. Tickets for the game are still available and Naderi is hoping for a big turn out. He said: “I’m excited. I miss playing in front of the fans and I can't wait to be at the stadium again. It's a pleasure to play under those fans and I'm really excited.”
