RANGERS have reached an agreement with Roma to bring Umar Sadiq, a Nigerian striker, to Ibrox on a season-long loan.
The 21-year-old, who spent a temporary spell at NAC Breda in the Netherlands earlier this year, will become Steven Gerrard’s eighth summer signing subject to him receiving a work permit.
Sadiq, who netted five goals in 13 games in the Eredivisie in the second half of the 2017/18 campaign, doesn’t satisfy the criteria for an automatic endorsement.
But Rangers are optimistic the 6ft 4in forward will be able to play in Scotland next term even though he hasn’t represented his country in 75 per cent of their internationals in the last two years.
The player joined Serie A club Roma from second tier Italian outfit Spezia in a £2 million transfer two years ago and has since spent loan spells at Bologna, Torino and Breda.
Eusebio Di Francesco, whose side reached the Champions League semi-final last season, is unable to guarantee him a regular first team game at the Olympic Stadium next term and has agreed to let him go on loan again.
Meanwhile, Gary McAllister reckons Steven Gerrard will relish the challenge of attempting to dethrone Celtic in his first campaign as Rangers boss.
The Liverpool legend spent the last 10 days working with his squad at their pre-season training base in Spain as he stepped-up his preparations for the big kick-off.
Rangers have been written off in many quarters before a ball has been kicked this term, but assistant manager McAllister is determined to close the gap as the Light Blues look to end their long wait for silverware.
He said: “When you look at the numbers I can understand why that can be levelled but, the thing is, we’ve got to really focus on what we’re doing.
“We’re aware that side of the city, Glasgow Celtic have done brilliantly under Brendan Rodgers and we’ve got to just go in there and make it more and more competitive and try and push and push.
“That’s the mentality of someone who has been a leader and a captain and an inspirational player during his career.”
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