Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has expressed satisfaction with Nigeria forward, Sadiq Umar’s improvement in training after warnings that he should improve everything and fight for his spot in the team.
Since his temporary arrival from Roma in the summer, the former Nigeria youth international has struggled at the Ibrox Stadium having played just 13 minutes of football in the Scottish Premier League this season.
With Rangers facing selection crisis [Alfredo Morelos’ suspension and Kyle Lafferty is cup-tied] ahead of their League Cup semi-final clash against Aberdeen next Sunday, Gerrard gave an update on Umar’s progress in training with the thought of having the 21-year-old in his plan for the future.
“Umar has shown that improvement. He’s been working very hard. He’s got his head down. He’s improved a lot,” Gerrard was quoted by Scottish Sun.
“His application has improved, his quality has improved, so he’s given me something to think about for the future
“I don’t know (if the warning has sparked the change), that’s something you’d have to ask Umar.
“But sometimes when a manager is honest with you, sometimes you have to go away and self-reflect. If you’re a proper footballer, you go analyse and come back stronger.”