The way Philippe Clement’s team has distributed the goals thus far in the Scottish Premiership campaign is one of its most distinctive aspects
Two Rangers players are among the top three in the Golden Boot race as of Christmas Day. Vaclav Cerny now has seven goals after scoring the game-winning goal against Dundee on Saturday.
There are six for Cyriel Dessers. Also, Danilo, Tom Lawrence, Nedim Bajrami, James Tavernier, and Hamza Igamane have all contributed usefully in the absence of a productive number nine like Alfredo Morelos or Kris Boyd.
But with Mamelodi Sundowns, a South African team, things are almost entirely different.
Iqraam Rayners scored the game-winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Amazulu on Christmas Eve, bringing his total to 13 goals in 17 appearances. At the top of the Mamelodi scoring lists, Rayners is now six points ahead of his nearest rival.
In contrast, this was the late-blooming center-forward’s second goal in as many days. Rayners returned to torment former employers Stellenbosch last week. Rayners is carrying his team on his back, even though Rangers have shared the load.
This month, Rangers have been linked to a transfer for Iqraam Rayners. Rangers is reportedly proposing £2.4 million to bring the South Africa international to Ibrox, according to recent sources from that country.
As of right now, these reports are still covered in mystery. In Scotland, they have not yet been verified. Additionally, St Etienne’s interest in Cyriel Dessers suggests that a new striker may be needed, but it would seem strange to bring in a 29-year-old to replace a player who just turned 30.
However, Rayners’ track record is self-evident.
In the spring, Rayners, wearing a shirt from Stellenbosch, crushed Polokwane City by himself, becoming just the second player in South African history to score five goals in a single game. Five strong but very distinct finishes, from every range and angle, and from both feet.
Ibrox was connected The South African star is “a superb finisher.”
At full time, astonished Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker told IOL, “Iqraam is on a great run of form.” “You could see that he is a good football player and a great finisher.”
“What is there to say? There were five unique objectives. Each goal came via a superb finish that was well-considered, well-struck, or constructed.
“He demonstrated his abilities as a goal scorer once more.”
Even if Rangers were to make a deal above £2 million, according to Soccer Laduma, the Mamelodi Sundowns would not be in a rush to accept. They’re not aiming for a title. And not after they signed Rayners only last summer, tying him down.
Rangers will have options in the last third when they go to St Mirren on Boxing Day.
Ross McCausland has also recovered from injury, and Philippe Clement is thrilled to have Ianis Hagi and Danilo back available.
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