Cedric Itten (Getty Images)
According to Sky Sports, Rangers have completed the signing of Switzerland youngster Cedric Itten from St. Gallen for £2.7m on a four-year deal.
Itten, 23, came through the ranks of FC Basel’s academy and excelled for the club’s youth sides before getting promoted to the senior set up in 2016. Though he struggled in his debut season with the first- team, scoring just 1 goal, a loan move to FC Luzern helped him with the confidence.
He was then signed by St. Gallen, initially on loan, before his move was made permanent in the summer of 2018. In his first full season at Kybunpark, the Swiss forward struggled with a knee injury, and his progress was hampered.
However, he ended up as the club’s top scorer last season and helped them to the 2nd place finish in the Super League standings. He has gone from strength to strength in the last few years, and Rangers have made the right choice in securing his services.
Rangers, meanwhile, started their new campaign with an unconvincing 1-0 win over Aberdeen, thanks to a first-half goal from Ryan Kent. Steven Gerrard’s men had been inconsistent on several occasions in the last season and that led to them falling 13 points behind in the title race.
However, this season, they need to be at their best if they have to end Celtic’s dominance in Scotland. For that, they need to bring in enough reinforcements. And, by signing Itten, they have taken the right decision.
Main striker Alfredo Morelos hasn’t scored a single league goal since the boxing day fixture against Kilmarnock last season. He was also not at his best in the last game against Aberdeen and has been heavily linked with a move elsewhere.
English veteran Jermain Defoe, who did a decent job last season, has fallen a victim to injury and this would have left them with limited options if they hadn’t signed the former Basel man.
The 23-year-old has been in sensational form, scoring 20 goals in 36 games across all competitions last season. And, he can be a future leader in the Gers’ attack if Morelos departs. Defoe is also 37 and reaching the end of his career. And thus, if Itten is able to continue with the fine form, he can be a crucial player for Gerrard’s side for years to come.
With Morelos linked with an exit and Defoe struggling with injury, it is the best decision by Rangers to bring in the 2-cap Switzerland international. Itten can provide them with the much-needed goals and can represent them in the long run if he develops under the guidance of Gerrard.
