Rangers FC, one of the heavyweights of Scottish Premiership, finished their campaign in third place with 39 points behind champions and age-old rivals Celtic FC. Their return to top-tier of Scottish football has been a mixed experience. However, the Gers gaffer Pedro Caixinha is upbeat about the upcoming campaign and is determined to close the gap, as well as fight for the silverware in order to terminate Celtic’s domestic dominance.
He has already made a couple of inclusion to rebuild his squad in the shape of veteran Portuguese centre-back Bruno Alves and former Aberdeen midfielder Ryan Jack on a Bosman transfer. The Portuguese tactician had his spells in both Portugal and Mexico and is reportedly utilising his influence to make a number of intriguing signings. He is closing in on Mexican midfielder Carlos Pena and if reports are believed to be true, Caixinha has also made an audacious bid for UNAM goal-machine Eduardo Herrera.
The 28-year old Mexican international has previously played for Caixinha’s former club Santos Laguna on loan and scored six goals in 28 outings out of which 23 of his appearances came off the bench. Caixinha reiterated about Herrera’s quality and his regret at not signing him permanently:
” I think it was a mistake by me not to try and sign him. He was a player who contributed a lot at the time at Santos. He’s improved every year and is now a complete striker. He’s Mexican, he’s very professional and he scores goals. He was a great player for me.”
Rangers lacked a finisher this year as both Martyn Waghorn and Joe Garner struggled to find consistency. 37-year old veteran Kenny Miller was their best resource in front of goal and the Gers need proper reinforcements to combat at par with Celtic’s excellence. Herrera, the Mexican hitman, is believed to be the much needed solution for the Rangers’ attack and they have already made an ambitious bid to acquire his services prior to their Europa League first qualifying round outing at the end of this month.
Herrera is hailed for his calmness and goal poaching traits. He makes his presence known inside the box and his heading and finishing attributes are of highest caliber. He has netted 57 times in 207 appearances in Liga MX and is expected to replicate his goal-scoring form for his new club. He made his debut for Mexico national football team a couple of years back and netted three times in 9 appearances ever since. He has joined Veracruz on loan earlier this year where he has netted thrice in 13 games.
However, there might little complication regarding this deal as Herrera, being a non-EU player, needs permission of the Scottish FA for a work permit. UNAM, his current employers, are happy with the amount Rangers’ offered for the striker and both parties are hopeful of a fruitful conclusion within next few days.
Eduardo Herrera will fit well in Rangers’ style of football as they often whip in crosses inside the box using the width of the pitch. He can be useful in those scenarios and score goals that the Gers lacked throughout this campaign.
