Ally McCoist thinks Rangers ace looked like a Pep Guardiola player in Malmo win

Philippe Clement, after securing the Ibrox newcomer’s services late in the summer transfer window, wasted little time telling the Rangers supporters what they could expect.

 

Namely, a footballer capable of thriving in a multitude of different positions.

This was a man who, at his former charges, had been utilised as a centre-half, a defensive midfielder, a right-back and even as a left-back.

 

And, as the Scottish giants won their first Europa League game of 2024/25 against Malmo in Sweden, the Feyenoord loanee showed the travelling support what their manager meant when Philippe Clement lauded the flexibility Neraysho Kasanwirjo would bring to Rangers.

 

Starting on the left despite his right-footed nature, Neraysho Kasanwirjo never looked out of place even for a second.

While obviously providing a very different sort of presence compared to an injured Ridvan Yilmaz and a suspended Jefte Vital, the way Kasanwirjo would drift into midfield in a kind of inverted full-back role popularised by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City helped Rangers out-manoeuvre Malmo and create a numerical superiority in the centre of the park.

Neraysho Kasanwirjo impresses Philippe Clement as Rangers beat Malmo

When in possession, the excellent Connor Barron would often drop in to create a back three alongside Robin Propper and John Souttar.

 

Thus, allowing Kasanwirjo to push on, either holding the width on the touchline or coming infield alongside Mohamed Diomande.

Ally McCoist, on co-commentary duty for TNT Sports, was a little taken aback to see Kasanwirjo handed a first Rangers start on the night.

 

He had expected Dujon Sterling to step in after Jefte was controversially sent off during Rangers’ defeat to Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League qualifiers.

 

But Kasanwirjo quickly justified his selection, while simultaneously justifying Clement’s earlier suggestion that the Dutch Under 21 international could come to represent two or three signings rolled into one given his penchant for performing in a multitude of different roles.

 

A man so versatile it would make Daniel Day Lewis look like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.