Young Rangers striker Zak Lovelace has made his long-awaited comeback from injury, but the Ibrox B squad is humbled by Old Firm rivals Celtic.
The 18-year-old attacker began on the bench as Rangers Academy suffered a 3-0 Glasgow Cup defeat to Celtic at Lennoxtown.
Replacing Josh Gentles with 58 minutes on the clock, Zak Lovelace’s 30 minutes are a significant step forward for the young Rangers star after a difficult few months.
The teenage striker was last seen in Rangers colours in October’s 2-0 Scottish Premiership triumph against St Mirren, so let’s hope he can return to the first team squad soon.
Zak Lovelace returns from injury.
Lovelace, an English youth international, experienced a terrible hamstring injury after getting into the first team during Steven Davis’ brief leadership in October.
The youthful striker was handed his chance in Paisley, where he set up the first goal in his maiden start for Ibrox.
Lovelace had driven the ball across the St Mirren box, with Ryan Strain handballing and James Tavernier converting the penalty before the striker was carried out on a stretcher.
While Ross McCausland has improved since that encounter, the young Northern Irishman has been included from the start under Davo, Zak Lovelace has been pushed into a period of recovery.
Let’s hope it’s behind him now and Rangers can see more of the former Millwall striker’s young skill.
Rangers boss hinted at squad position.
Rangers boss Philippe Clement hinted that Zak Lovelace could find a place in his squad while discussing the striker issue in Glasgow.
Rangers only have two fit forward options, Cyriel Dessers and Fabio Silva, with Kemar Roofe, Danilo, and Abdallah Sima out injured.
Speaking to the press about his failure to sign another player in January, Clement suggested that Lovelace may fill the vacuum.
“We also have Zak Lovelace, who was out injured,” Clement explained. “I’ve not seen him live with me but I saw him before and he is somebody with a bright future so you can have maybe six or seven strikers but you cannot play them all.”
Zak Lovelace has made four Rangers first-team appearances since signing in the summer of 2022.
Ibrahim Osman, an FC Nordsjaelland striker and Right to Dream Academy graduate, is expected to join Rangers star Mohamed Diomande in the UK.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Premier League Brighton have agreed to sign the 19-year-old Ghanaian for €22.5 million (£19.2 million).
It builds on West Ham’s strong contacts with Ibrahim Osman during the January transfer window, when the teenage striker was one of Europe’s most highly touted young forwards.
If the agreement is confirmed, Osman will join Brighton in the summer, making him the second Right to Dream Academy graduate to depart FC Nordsjaelland in a couple of weeks.
Rangers completed a £4.3 million loan-to-buy agreement to bring Ivorian midfielder Mohamed Diomande to the club after four years in Denmark.
Right to Dream Academy’s couple travels to the UK.
The Right to Dream Academy is a football social mobility organization that provides scholarships to exceptional young people on Africa’s west coast.
Based in Ghana, the inspired initiative has produced several young players in recent seasons, the most notable of which is Mohamed Kudus, who now plays for West Ham.
FC Nordsjaelland has close ties to the Academy, and two of their initiatives are now making their way to the UK in extremely interesting transactions.
Rangers are hopeful Mohamed Diomande may help revive the club’s faltering player trading model by making an impact at Ibrox and perhaps being transferred for a lot of money in the future.
Ibrahim Osman’s ability is demonstrated by the fact that he was plucked directly from Scandinavia, and Brighton’s recruitment department is well-known for signing youngsters early.
Rangers see Mohamed Diomande’s talent.
Mohamed Diomande made his Rangers debut in the midweek win against Aberdeen, and Ibrox fans got a taste of the Ivorian’s talent.
Flipping the ball nonchalantly over the heads of two Aberdeen defenders and passing to the side, it was a moment that revealed a gifted player.
It will take time for Mohamed Diomande to settle in at Rangers, but there is some enthusiasm about the midfielder.
The same will certainly be true for Ibrahim Osman as he heads to Brighton, but by the time he arrives on the south coast, fans will be hoping their old teammate has settled into his routine at Ibrox.
