- The 22-year-old joined from German third-tier side Hansa Rostock on transfer deadline day for a reported fee of £4.75million.
- He has been compared with the Ibrox legend, as well as former Germany striker Fredi Bobic and current Newcastle front man Nick Woltemade.
- Naderi could make his first start for the club against Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup this weekend.
New Rangers striker Ryan Naderi insists he will be his own man at Ibrox despite favourable comparisons with more illustrious German players.
The 22-year-old signed from Hansa Rostock on transfer deadline day for a reported fee of £4.75million.
Although the team he has just departed play in his homeland’s third tier, head coach Danny Rohl raised eyebrows when he revealed that colleagues back home had likened the newcomer to former Germany forward Fredi Bobic and current Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade.
Dresden-born Naderi, who made his debut as a second-half substitute in the 5-1 win at home to Kilmarnock on Wednesday night, was also flattered to be told there had been comparisons made with Jorg Albertz, a huge favourite of supporters during his spell in Govan between 1996 and 2001.
He said: ‘A big honour, definitely. I appreciate it but I will always try to play my own game, not to compare to someone else, and to focus on my strengths that I have.
‘But it’s a big honour to be compared to those names. Definitely.
Striker Ryan Naderi completed his move to Rangers from Hansa Rostock on deadline day
Rangers manager Danny Rohl has been a long-time admirer of the 22-year-old
Jorg Albertz was a firm favourite of the Ibrox support throughout his five-year spell in Glasgow
‘Those are big footsteps and I will definitely try my best to be as good as possible.
‘And, yes, it’s a big honour that you come up with those names. It’s also part of the pressure because the expectations are high. But I’m ready to fight for everything.
‘Personally, I just want to score goals, give good impacts in games and, of course, the main target is to be on top of the table and win the league.’
Naderi is confident he will thrive under pressure as Rangers look to overthrow Premiership leaders Hearts and claim the title for the first time since 2021.
‘Definitely. That’s why I’m here,’ said the man who scored 13 goals in 45 appearances for Hansa Rostock after joining from Borussia Monchengladbach in August 2024. ‘That’s already been discussed as well, because the people here also know how I work.
‘We had conversations and I’m definitely the type who will be able to work with the pressure that is here, and I know what it means for the people as well. I’m ready to give 100 per cent.’
Naderi enjoyed his first experience of Ibrox after a stressful move from Germany which went to the last day of the transfer window and almost saw his arrival delayed until the summer.
Ahead of the Scottish Cup tie against Championship side Queen’s Park at Ibrox tomorrow, he added: ‘It was unbelievable, to be honest. I was a bit nervous just because it’s a big step for me.
Naderi came off the bench to make his debut for the club against Kilmarnock on Wednesday
‘But I try to enjoy every second and it was an amazing, amazing feeling. I just wanted to get the deal done.
‘I noticed that the negotiations were ongoing for summer as well, and I’m just happy to be here now because I can give my input to the team and try to win the title.’
With striker Bojan Miovski failing to impress of late, despite scoring in Wednesday’s win over Kilmarnock, Naderi could be tasked with scoring the goals against Queen’s Park.
Manager Rohl will be anxious that lightning doesn’t strike twice after the Spiders pulled off one of the great shocks in the tournament at this same time last year by winning 1-0 at Ibrox.
