Rangers hitman puts strength in the collective as Czech 'homecoming' offers special opportunity

Rangers striker Ryan Naderi is relishing the pressure of leading the line in Youssef Chermiti’s absence - and insists his teammates are showing signs of recovery as they aim to find their feet after a rocky start to the season.

Naderi, 23, was deployed as a lone striker for the second game running as Rangers beat Jablonec 1-0 in the Conference League playoff first leg on Thursday night, with the German’s 50th-minute goal proving to be the difference at Ibrox against their Czech counterparts.

Tapping home from close range after neat play between new arrivals Dan Neil and Daisuke Yokota, the former Hansa Rostock marksman added to his opening goal in their 5-1 Premier Sports Cup win over St Mirren last weekend. Winless in their opening four games of the season, Derek McInnes’ side have now achieved back-to-back victories, and Naderi believes the team are beginning to rediscover their confidence after a difficult start to the campaign.

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Naderi now has two goals in his last two games for Rangers. Cr: SNS Group. | SNS Group

“I think it's [scoring goals] the responsibility for the whole team, honestly,” said the German striker. “With Youssef, we’re missing a unique type of player, so we have to try as a team to fill the gap. It's just a team thing. Someone has to score the goals, and I'm lucky to be the one who at the moment gets the ball over the line. But it's the whole team who has to fill this gap.

“I'm someone who likes to work a lot for the team, and this doesn't change even if I'm the lone striker. I like both [playing up front alone or with a strike partner]. Obviously, there’s things you have to do with the second striker next to you. So I try to work a lot also with the second striker. I just try my best to work for the team. I'm okay if the other striker shines a bit more.

“But right now, I'm just happy that things go well. We have to stay focused. I didn't score the most spectacular of goals, but at the end of the day I'm just happy that I somehow put it over the line. That’s what a striker has to do. I'm just happy to help the team, and the most important thing is just winning, and keeping the momentum up.”

Heading into next week’s second leg against Jablonec with a slender advantage, the game will be a special for Naderi in more ways than one. Born in Dresden, Germany, he qualifies to play for Czechia via his mother, while his maternal grandmother still lives in the capital, Prague.

Naderi is ready to fill the hole at Rangers left by Youssef Chermiti's ACL injury. | SNS Group

As he prepares to return to Czechia for next Thursday’s crucial clash, the marksman discussed the unique occasion he’ll encounter, but admits he won’t give the game any more thought than usual as Rangers look to seal a spot in the Conference League.

“Definitely, I'll have family there,” admitted Naderi. “My mother is from the Czech Republic. My grandma lives there, so I can speak Czech. It's not as good as it used to be, because when I was still a student, I used to go there on holidays. For me, it's a nice match.

“Obviously, it is something special, but for me it's something special because it's just qualifying games for a European competition. These are the nights you want to play, and this is the special part for me. I don't care who we play. I’m looking forward it. I'm glad my family is coming, but like I said, for me it's a match like any other, and it's one-on-one.”