Danny Rohl has taken a big £5M Rangers gamble on Ryan Naderi | OneFootball

So that was the transfer window that was after Ryan Naderi signing. Rangers complete the transfer window at long last with four signings in total. Assessing the quality of this transfer window does rely on performances in many respects. However, we can see via CVs of the players incoming what we think of the quality on paper. Ibrox Noise was extremely happy with Andrea Skov Olsen. By miles, he was the star of the window.

The early business looked excellent

We were also happy with Chukwuani, given that he could be a decent six. Rommens we were maybe a little less sure of. However, he still looked a decent prospect. At this point, we had signed £20M worth of talent for a combined total of £8M. That is a very high return. It is also an unprecedented one. On paper, Rangers had done very well. At this stage, the transfer window rated a very solid eight, verging on nine out of ten.

The striker problem would not go away

However, the striker issue remained a major bugbear. Rangers needed a big goalscorer of high quality. They needed someone guaranteed to score at least 25 goals per season. After much huffing and hoeing, and losing several targets, the final result came late. It was literally half an hour before the window closed at 11pm on Monday night. That signing was Ryan Naderi.

A risky late gamble

The German third division striker arrived in Govan for £5M. As discussed before, that is a record fee from the German third division. Hansa Rostock extracted every penny they could for the player. Ibrox Noise remains bewildered by this addition. Reaction to the signing has been mixed at best. Even the In Danny We Trust crowd are sceptical. This is a third division striker. He is only 22 and has no German youth call-ups. He has never played above the German third division.

Questions over the level

We have mentioned the level several times. We genuinely cannot remember the last time Rangers signed from such a low level. The level is significant. The last far-flung league signing was Hamza Igamane. He cost £1.5M from the Moroccan Premier League. That was at least a top flight. FAR Rabat are also a recognised club. The Moroccan league may not match England, but it is still a top division. The German third division is very different. Spending £5M at that level is a major gamble.

Rohl puts his reputation on the line

Fundamentally Danny Rohl is risking his reputation with this signing. He is taking a huge gamble. On paper, Naderi is a decent prospect. He fits the profile as a big target man. He can score goals. The problem is the visuals. He has the gait of Tore Andre Flo. He also carries the look of that overpriced late 90s signing under Advocaat. On paper and visually, he does not look worth £5M.

Painful memories of past gambles

The last time Rangers took a big-money gamble on an unknown striker was Youssef Chermiti. That signing failed spectacularly. It is hard to argue this gamble is much safer. The cost is extraordinary. The risk is enormous. This is an absolute unknown quantity.

Pressure from the start

Moreover Rohl must hope this one delivers. Furthermore pressure starts immediately. We know the familiar lines will appear. Give him a chance FFS. Give him time FFS. He has just arrived FFS. That patter always comes. Still, the reality remains. This is a huge gamble. It is a lot of money. The player is an unknown.

New signing Ryan Naderi (Credit Rangers FC)

Experience matters

Yes, every signing is a gamble. That is true. But signing Lionel Messi is less of one than signing Ryan Naderi. You hedge your bets and improve the odds. Therefore you sign players with a CV. You reduce risk by matching experience to your level. Andreas Skov Olsen has that CV. He has the experience. Ryan Naderi signing does not.

Fundamentallty time will tell how this goes. What is clear is this. Danny Rohl’s reputation is on the line. If this one fails, he will be in serious trouble.