Rangers have completed the signing of Ovie Ejaria on a season-long loan from Liverpool, after Steven Gerrard managed to pull a few strings at his former club, and there are several key reasons why Gers fans should be very excited.
Highly-rated by Klopp
The 20-year-old attacker is definitely rated by Jurgen Klopp, so much so that the German super coach included Ejaria in his match-day squad on 16 occasions during his first season in English football.
Moreover, speaking in a 2016 interview with the Liverpool Echo, Klopp confirmed his admiration for Ejaria, saying: “We saw Ovie in a game here at Melwood one afternoon.
“We thought he was seriously injured as he couldn’t walk but then the next day it was nothing – like it is with kids sometimes.
“Then we had the training camp in Tenerife last season and Ovie made a big impression, I thought: ‘Oh my God, he could be ready.”
His Athleticism
He might still be classed as a youngster but Ejaria already has the build of a hardened veteran, and his jet-heeled runs will quickly catch the eye of the Ibrox faithful.
He’s a terrific athlete with great size and speed, but he’s also got lightning quick feet.
This often enables him to squirm out of tight areas and gallop away with the ball to help his team get up the pitch when under pressure.
When he hits top speed he can outrun just about any defender and is a genuine threat breaking in behind the back-line.
A Point to Prove
In case you weren’t aware, Ejaria spent last season on-loan at Sunderland, and it’s fair to say things didn’t go at all as he or the club would’ve hoped.
Whilst pretty much nobody at the Stadium of Light covered themselves in glory, Ejaria was a particular disappointment given his hyped build-up, and he’ll definitely want to prove a few of his critics wrong during his time in Scotland.
He’s Naturally a No.10
Rangers struggled to unlock opposition defences last season, particularly at home, and whilst Ejaria is often deployed in a wide position, he often plays his best football in a central area behind the main striker.
Ejaria needs to be on the ball creating opportunities for his team-mates and he’ll definitely get the chance to do so in Glasgow.
But what do you think of the signing? Will Ejaria be a big hit in Scottish football?
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