There comes a stage in any relationship when things inevitably turn a bit stale.
It’s at that point where you either have to find a way to spice things up or come to the conclusion that it’s time to go your separate ways. That’s where Kieran Dowell found himself in his Norwich union. Promotion to the Premier League with Daniel Farke’s side in 2021 was more than enough to stir the former England youth international’s passions.
But when the Canaries’ top-flight flame fizzled out after just one season, it was no surprise that the former Everton youngster’s wandering eye started looking elsewhere. And he discovered fresh temptation at Ibrox. Michael Beale has been perfecting the art of seduction this summer having lured six new recruits to Govan. For Dowell, it was the Londoner’s enchanting offer of Champions League action, packed-out nights at Ibrox and the chance to lift silverware he found too beguiling to resist.
“That was what swayed me to come here,” confessed the 25-year-old midfield ace. “I have played six years in the Championship and one season in the Premier League.
“I was ready for a fresh start and this was the perfect opportunity for me. I enjoy the pressure and that is what this club is all about. It is a different kind of pressure where you are expected to win every game.
“It is different to any other league I guess. I hadn’t really watched much Scottish football apart from the Old Firm games. The manager sold it on the amount of games we are going to play, being in Europe. He really seduced me.
“He just sold it to me really well and when I came up to watch a game when I signed last season the atmosphere was incredible. It was just like the manager had described it to me.”
Dowell’s move to Glasgow wasn’t quite a blind date having been clued in about the city and his new club by Gers-daft Carrow Road team-mate Kenny McLean. Todd Cantwell, who swapped East Anglia for the west coast of Scotland back in January, has also been acting as matchmaker.
Dowell said: “One of the guys at Norwich I spoke with was Kenny McLean – I think it is well known he’s a Rangers fan!
“I was straight in his ear asking him what it was like and he told me to go for it. I have always got on with the Scottish lads at every club I’ve been at. I know a few people already so that was nice.
“It is always good to have a few familiar faces on the first day. It certainly helps you settle in a lot quicker. I’ve all sorts of recommendations about where to live from Kenny and from the lads here.
“It is half the battle getting settled off the pitch. Todd told me he was delighted with the way he had settled in. He told me about the intensity of it and that is something I am really looking forward to as well.”
If Dowell can match the impact his former Canaries colleague has made in Glasgow he’ll be doing well. Cantwell has quickly established himself as the beating heart of this Rangers side, mixing his twinkle-toed ability on the ball with a spiky attitude that has gone down a treat with the punters.
You likely won’t see Dowell getting in as many opponents’ faces as his old pal but he’s looking forward to getting stuck in to Scottish football after this week’s taxing pre-season workout in Germany. Dowell said: “It’s been a tough first few days and it feels like we have been back weeks as we’ve worked that hard.
“There’s been a great intensity in training and all the new lads have settled very quickly. I’d say I was a creative player who can play in a number of positions. I can play as an eight, a 10 and I have also played as a six before.
“I like getting on the ball and linking the play and I see myself as a goal-scoring midfielder. The manager told me that this club might play 60 games a season. He said that we are going to need two teams and need competition for places.
“You saw that last season with the injuries when it was not so good. There has to be more competition this season to keep everybody on their toes. It keeps the standards high, though given the games we are going to play, guys can also get a rest.”
Dowell hopes to get his first look at Ibrox next Tuesday when the Light Blues host Newcastle in Allan McGregor’s testimonial clash. The former Goodison youth-team graduate has been told to look out for similarities to his old Merseyside stomping ground which, like the iconic Ibrox main stand, was designed by famed architect Archibald Leitch.
He said: “The manager also described it a little like Goodison Park. Maybe Ibrox is on another level though, I’ve yet to experience it. The fans are something else and when the team is doing well they are unbelievable.”
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