Gerrard is just the ‘perfect’ man to make Sadiq tick
The man who discovered Umar Sadiq for Roma is backing the Nigerian to forge the perfect pupilteacher relationship with Steven Gerrard.
Twenty-one-year-old Sadiq has been lined up by the new Rangers boss to move to Ibrox on a season-long deal.
It follows his stint in the Dutch top flight with NAC Breda last season, where he made a dozen appearances and scored five goals. Former Roma Sports Director, Walter Sabatini – who spotted the striker playing for Spezia and put in the recommendation that led to his £2m signing – reckons that’s a tally he could potentially quadruple in the Scottish Premiership. “I expect Umar to do very well in Scotland,” said Sabatini, who now works in a similar role for Roma’s Serie A rivals, Sampdoria.
“I say that because I believe he has so many of the key skills you look for in a striker – height, good technique and finishing ability.
“They were all there when I spotted him when he was a youth player a few years ago, and they are all there now.
“Importantly for Rangers, too, he is a smart boy who knows how to apply himself. “We have to remember, though, that he is still young and quite inexperienced.
“Because of that, he needs someone to look up to who can direct him and make sure he doesn’t make the mistakes that players of his age so often do.
“In particular, I think he maybe needs to show a little more determination in his play, especially if he is making the switch to the British game.
“I believe Gerrard, with his great experience as a player for both Liverpool and England, should be perfect for him in this regard. “Umar has already spoken of his respect for him, and stated that anyone his age would find it hard to say no to the chance to play for Gerrard.
“Now it appears he is going to get that opportunity, and for sure he will want to make the most of it.
“If he does, then I think he can score plenty of goals.”
And, Sabatini argues, the arrangement should benefit both parties.
“Rangers are a great club, one of the most famous names in the world,” he said. “For Umar to play for them in front of huge crowds, in a competitive league, can only benefit his game.
“If he does well, then he will also have experience which will stand him in good stead were he to move to England at a future point.” Although overlooked by his country for the World Cup Finals, Sadiq has an impressive record in major competitions.
At the 2016 Olympics in Rio, he made his mark with the under-21 side, scoring in their opening games against Japan and Sweden, and hitting a double – including what proved to be the winner – in the bronze medal match with Honduras, which Nigeria won 3-2.
In addition to bringing in Sadiq and Liverpool’s Ovie Ejarja on loans, Gerrard is also hoping to fix up a short-term deal for Lassana Coulibaly from French club, Angers.
Nicola Katic, Jamie Arfield, Connor Goldson, Jamie Murphy (who was previously with Rangers on loan from Brighton) and Jon Flanagan have all been brought in on permanent deals.
The Light Blues have their first game of the new season on Friday night when Bury will be the visitors to Ibrox.