£13m star shows why Rangers like him with stunning goal in MOTM display
25/04/2024 21:00
The Rangers target indicated a couple of weeks ago that it would likely take an offer in the region of 15 million euros to lure him away from his current employers. And the performance he produced on Wednesday evening was an indication into why he is priced so highly.
A couple of days after Todd Cantwell weaved his way into the Hearts box to set up Cyriel Dessers‘ second of the game during that Scottish Cup semi-final, a man who HITC understands is under consideration to join the Englishman at Ibrox embarked on a similarly breath-taking run before providing the finishing touch himself.
Eduard Spertsyan, driving forward from inside his own half, bamboozled a pair of Baltika defenders with a quick change of direction before coolly slotting into the far corner.
Spertsyan’s goalscoring qualities from central midfield have drawn comparisons with Frank Lampard and former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, but there was something almost Kaka-like about the way the Krasnodar talisman glided towards the penalty area, suave and silky-smooth, and finished a chance all of his own making while barely breaking sweat.
This is why Rangers like Eduard Spertsyan
Spertsyan then showcased his set-piece prowess to set up Krasnodar’s third of a 3-2 win, guiding an inch-perfect cross straight onto the head of striker Jhon Cordoba.
With Borna Barisic seemingly on his way and James Tavernier turning 33 in October, Rangers’ dead-ball specialists may be entering the autumn of their respective Ibrox careers even if the latter still appears to have plenty left in the tank.
Spertsyan, 21 assists to go with his 24 goals since the start of last season, would at least give Rangers a different option from corners and free-kicks. Then again, while HITC have heard that the 23-year-old is indeed a player Rangers like, it would be misleading to suggest that he is a particularly realistic option this summer.
Plenty of obstacles in way of Ibrox switch
There is that likely £13 million price-tag, for one. A fee that would require Rangers to shatter a club-record which has stood for over 20 years. HITC understands that Spertsyan is more likely to end up in the Eredivisie as things stand – perhaps as a replacement for one Malik Tillman at PSV Eindhoven – while British-based clubs are not exactly being encouraged to fork over considerable sums to Russian sides during the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Still, dreaming is free, even if Spertsyan isn’t. And, following another Man of the Match award winning showing from a player dubbed ‘one of the best midfielders in Europe‘ by a former Krasnodar chief, there is no harm in imagining the qualities Spertsyan could bring with him to Ibrox.
“Eduard is smart, a hard worker, a good person and a football player,” former Armenia goalkeeper David Yurchenko tells Match TV of his ever-influential compatriot.
“Of the current generation of the Armenian national team, he is the best footballer after (Inter Milan’s Henrikh) Mkhitaryan. Spertsyan is a bright spark. He can achieve a lot.”
While Rangers are in the midst of an enthralling title battle, so are Krasnodar. Spertsyan’s side only one point shy of Zenit St Petersburg with five matches remaining.
