Umar Sadiq must have come to Rangers with a lot of expectation, and there was optimism among the fans as well as he was coming from a top club like AS Roma. The Gers signed him on a season-long loan, but latest reports suggest that the forward could be sent packing soon as he has failed to make his mark at the Ibrox.
The Nigerian came in with a good reputation as he was a big success at the youth level and was also a Nigerian u-23 international. Steven Gerrard has often been left unimpressed by the striker, and when asked once on what the young forward can improve on, Gerrard went on to say everything. Recently against St. Mirren, Kyle Lafferty was out due to an injury, and as a result, Sadiq should have at least got into the matchday squad, but the manager decided to exclude him altogether.
That goes to show he is not in the picture anymore even though Gerrard gave him his big break in the League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen. Sadiq could have been a hero for the Gers in the semi-final as he was through one on one on goal with the goalkeeper for the equaliser, but the Nigerian tried to buy a cheap penalty as he dived and was booked rightfully. Gerrard again went on to criticise the striker for his antics, and it seems clear now that the manager has had enough.
Maybe the youngster thought that he could walk into the team of Rangers’ calibre coming from a club of Roma’s stature, but Gerrard had often questioned his commitment and attitude in training. This usually happens with young players who have had immense success at the youth level. They often aren’t used to failing, and when they face a roadblock in their career at the top level, they lack the courage and determination to come back from it. Same seems to be the case with Sadiq as well.
One can understand why the Gers are looking to offload him as he is not even worth getting on the bench at the moment. Gerrard has already indicated that he would seek to add quality in the final third in January and reports have already confirmed that the club could make as many as four signings in the winter period with a striker being a priority.
Hopefully, from the striker’s career point of view, he can clear his head up and get to work to prove himself. It is clear that he would struggle to make it big at Roma as well and the Italian heavyweights could also look to offload him soon. The Nigerian is still 21, and Sadiq can go on to learn his lesson from this experience and turn around his career. However, it’s clear that turnaround isn’t going to happen at Glasgow any more.
