Rangers boss Gio van Bronckhorst reckons Antonio Colak can bring a goal spark after securing his long awaited £1.8m transfer to Ibrox.
The Dutchman also provided supporters with encouraging injury updates on a trio of players amid their warm weather training camp in Portugal. And Van Bronckhorst was keen to herald the arrival of PAOK striker - the architect of their downfall in last season's Champions League qualifying with Malmo.
The 46-year-old reckons his new recruit can bring goals and guile ahead of the new season as the Rangers target a seat at European football's top table next season. Speaking to Rangers TV on his new signing, he said: "He’s a very experienced player who has played at a high level and scored goals. We want to add players to the attacking options and Colak will give us a lot of strings up front. Hopefully he does well and we’ll make him feel very welcome and prepare him for the important games.
"We wanted to because we need more goals next season. Everyone in the team can score goals but we want to have more options and Colak was one of the options we wanted this season. It took a bit longer than I expected but we’re happy to welcome him to Rangers."
And there is encouraging news on the injury front with Filip Helander pushing the pace amid a foot injury that has had him sidelined since limping off against St Mirren in April. There were also encouraging updates over talisman Alfredo Morelos and long-term absentee Ianis Hagi.
He added: "Filip is doing really well. He had a big part in the sessions in Portugal so his recovery is going really well. Alfredo didn’t take part in the sessions but is working hard to be back as soon as possible. Ianis is having his rehab in Holland but is here for the week and that’s good. His recovery is going as planned so he will return to Holland and make sure he gets back to fitness as soon as possible as well."
And the ongoing quest for match sharpness is centred around the pursuit of Champions League football and a quick start to the Scottish Premiership season. The Rangers manager is fully aware the importance of qualification after seeing it slip away after losing the Europa League Final.
He said: “In the five weeks you off you have to rest but also reflect on the past season and look ahead to the next season which we are starting now. It’s a new season, we want to do well in Europe again with the chance in August to challenge for the Champions League and we’ll do everything we can to achieve that and in the league we want to have a really good start.”
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