Former Rangers defender Sergio Porrini believes that the club’s on-loan striker Florian Kamberi will earn a permanent move to Ibrox and feels that he is in the perfect environment to improve as a footballer.
The 24-year-old signed for the ‘Gers on loan from Hibernian for the rest of the season on transfer deadline day last month and has so far had little chance to show what he can do for Steven Gerrard’s side – he played seven minutes off the bench against Aberdeen and was then ineligible to feature against his parent club.
Porrini, who successfully persuaded the former Switzerland underage international to switch allegiances to the Albania team of which he is currently assistant coach (as per Sunday Post), has backed Kamberi to succeed at Ibrox after the striker described the loan move as “a dream“, a comment which earned him a rebuke from Hibernian manager Jack Ross.
Speaking to the Sunday Post about the 24-year-old, Porrini said: “I really don’t believe Florian was disrespecting Hibs supporters by what he said. He is a serious professional and in football, as in all areas of life, it is normal to have ambitions and dreams.
“He wants to improve himself as a player and Rangers can help him do that. They are one of the most famous clubs in the world and as such are able to afford to bring in players of a higher level. The reason they will have recruited Florian is because they must have seen something in him which makes them believe he can elevate himself to that standard.”
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The ex-Rangers defender concluded: “My own view is that he will do well enough to earn himself the chance to stay on at Rangers, because he has a lot of talent.” [via Sunday Post]
As someone who spent four years at Rangers and won two league titles with the club amid a five-trophy haul at Ibrox, Porrini is well placed to judge whether a player has what it takes to succeed with the Light Blues. Also, as his recruitment of Kamberi for the Albania national team indicates, he sees some highly desirable qualities in the on-loan ‘Gers striker.
Kamberi came to Ibrox after a less than magnificent scoring return for Hibernian this season, with eight goals in 27 appearances for the Easter Road club in 2019/20 and just three goals in 20 Premiership games in that time. He may, however, seek to follow the lead set by Ibrox team-mate Jermain Defoe. The English veteran joined Rangers on loan in January 2019 having scored just four goals in 34 games over an 18-month period for Bournemouth but has enjoyed a renaissance in Glasgow, with 25 goals in 50 appearances for the ‘Gers. That form earned the 37-year-old a permanent switch to the club, which will take effect in the summer after being agreed last month (as per Sky Sports).
If Kamberi’s form over his last few months at Hibernian doesn’t suggest that he will score all around him at Rangers, it’s worth remembering that Defoe arrived at Ibrox off the back of a hardly scintillating run but has since done enough to earn a permanent deal. Therefore, Porrini makes a good point in saying that Rangers can help strikers to elevate their standards and, as a ‘Gers alumnus, he speaks from experience in knowing what is required to succeed at the club. Also, having seen Kamberi at close quarters with the Albanian national team, he should be more aware than most as to his ability to earn a permanent move to Rangers.
Rangers fans, do you agree with Porrini’s glowing verdict on Kamberi? Do you think the striker will go on to earn a permanent deal at Ibrox? Have your say by commenting below!
