Alious
Hansa Rostock were left reeling after Ryan Naderi’s dramatic late move to Rangers, with the German club’s hierarchy taking swift and decisive action to address the fallout. Manager Daniel Brinkmann admitted he was completely taken aback by the transfer, revealing that “shock” was his immediate reaction as the 3. Liga side lost a key figure in the dying hours of the winter window.
The transfer saga was anything but straightforward, dragging on with several twists at Ibrox before Rangers finally struck a deal worth £5.2 million to bring the 22-year-old striker to Glasgow with immediate effect. For Hansa Rostock, the timing could hardly have been worse, with one of their most influential players departing on deadline day.
Naderi wasted little time showing Rangers fans what he is capable of. Introduced from the bench in the second half of the emphatic 5–1 victory over Kilmarnock on 4 February, the German forward offered a glimpse of the impact he could have under Danny Rohl. His underlying numbers from his time at Hansa Rostock, reflected in his Sofascore data, only add to the growing excitement around Ibrox.
In the aftermath of the transfer, Hansa Rostock’s senior leadership moved quickly to steady the ship. According to Ostsee Zeitung, sporting director Amir Shapourzadeh, CEO Ronal Maul, and two members of the supervisory board held a face-to-face meeting with the first-team squad to explain why the club sanctioned Naderi’s sale. The report, published on 6 February, suggests the decision was laid out directly to the dressing room — a step that underlines just how significant the exit was for the club.
From Rangers’ perspective, Naderi could prove to be a crucial piece in Rohl’s plans. The striker may be the final ingredient needed as the former Sheffield Wednesday boss pushes to mount a serious William Hill Premiership title challenge. With the Light Blues currently sitting just three points behind leaders Hearts, the run-in promises plenty of drama.
Rangers’ other winter recruits — Tochi Chukwuani, Tuur Rommens and Andreas Skov Olsen — have already made strong early impressions, further boosting optimism. After a disastrous start to the campaign under Russell Martin, supporters will be hoping this reshaped squad finally has the quality and balance to deliver silverware, though Naderi’s adaptation to Scottish football will be closely watched.
Elsewhere, the new ownership era at Ibrox has not been without its turbulence. Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises endured a rocky beginning, with the appointments of Martin and Kevin Thelwell widely viewed as costly missteps. Despite heavy summer spending, many felt the squad regressed compared to last season.
Failure in the winter window would have left the US consortium open to ridicule, but the tide appears to be turning under Rohl. There is a growing sense that Rangers are laying the foundations for sustained success — whether that progress is rewarded with trophies by the end of the season remains the big question.
Alious
