STRIKING SIMILARITY
Arnaud sees a lot of Morelos in pal Lamkel Ze and warns Gers he could deliver Euro KO
The first game in Antwerp was explosive enough.
But when Rangers face thet Belgians again this week, the return of fiery frontman Didier Lamkel Ze might just re-ignite the Europa Euro League tie. Thursday’s 4-3 win for the Ibrox side had just about everything – goals, penalties, VAR decisions, injuries, a red card.
Steven Gerrard’s side now have one foot in the last 16 after their incredible comcomeback.
But striker Lamkel Ze willw bring a whole new dimension to Royal Antwerp’s play, according to former Hearts star Arnaud Djoum.
He played alongside the 24-yyear-old with Cameroon and knows just what he’s capable of.
While Lamkel Ze is clearly a talent, offproblems at Antwerp have caused controversy. None more so than when hhe turned up at the club’s training ground wearing a shirt of Anderlecht – Antwerp’s rivals – in protest at not getting a move. He was locked oout and reprimanded, before apologising and fighting his way back into Franky Vercauteren’s side. Lamkel Ze was suspended for the first leg but he will be in Govan for the return.
He will go head to head with Gers talisman Alfredo Morelos – no stranger to disciplinary issues himself – and Djoum reckons it will be a fascinating battle. In fact, he says whoever keeps a cool headhe out of those two, and lets their football do the talking, could decided the outcome. Djoum told MailSport: “It’s fair to say that Lamkel Ze is unpredictable on the pitch – and off it too.
“He can do crazy things, in terms of his ability, and that’s a positive.
“I have seen him score somsome amazing goals.
“But off the pitch, it’s more negative. That’s what Lamkel Ze has to work on. “He’s a bit like Morelos at Rangers. On the pitch they can both do great things. “In one action they can win a game with a piece of skill but they can also lose it with maybe a stupid red card.
“They probably p* * s of their team-mates with some of the things they do.
“But if you look at Antwerp’s recent results, Lamkel Ze is the guy who makes a difference for them. He’s had a real impact and scored some big goals.
“In tthe first leg Antwerp had difficulties without him. When
he’s on the pitch and focused, he’s a really big weapon on for them.
“On Thursday, Rangers will need to be careful because he can change the game at any time.
“It might be about who is best between him andnd Morelos, who is more focused on the game.
“Whoever concentrates more on their performancece could be the one who decides the match.”
Djoum hooked up with Lamkel Ze for the first timeme in November 2019 when the forward won his firstst cap for Cameroon and he was impressed by hisis character at the national team camp.
That’s why he was shocked at Lamkel Ze’s stuntnt with the Anderlecht shirt as he tried to force throughgh a transfer to Panathinaikos in Greece.
Djoum said: “When I met him and trained withth him at Cameroon, he was a nice guy.
“There were no problems with his attitude. He was as a normal guy with no issues.
“But when he went back to his club at Antwerp, I would hear things and think, ‘Oh my God, is thisis the same guy I met before?’ I don’t know what happens with him.
“Hopefully, after everything that has happened, d, he can leave it behind him and focus more now on what he does on the pitch.”
His return to Vercauteren’s side will be a huge boost st to Antwerp as they try to claw back Rangers’ lead in the tie on Thursday night.
Djoum is convinced that he’ll give Gerrard and Co something different to think about because of his is mercurial ability up front.
But the ex-Jambo insists Rangers will go through gh to the last 16 as long as they don’t underestimate the Belgians.
He said: “I think Lamkel Ze will make a difference for Antwerp at Ibrox and he’s someone Rangers have to keep an eye on.
“Individually, he’s a very good player. He’s skilful, can dribble and has speed.
“He also likes to shoot and has goals in him so he has really good ability.
“He can play in all the positions up front, as a lone striker or on either side.
“He’s got a bit of height, he’s quick, so he can do a bit of everything. He’s a good player with a lot of potential.
“I’ve seen a lot of Antwerp’s games this season and Rangers were always going to be favourites in this tie.
“I think Rangers’ level has been higher this season and they’re on top of the league in Scotland.
“Antwerp beat Spurs previously so you have to be wary of them in the second leg. They can defend well when they need to. They can surprise you.
“But as long as Rangers aren’t arrogant and think it’s over, I would expect them to go through.”