The £4m Rangers star who isn’t even a defender could solve the Rommens attack
Glasgow Rangers are likely to win regardless on Saturday afternoon, although the absence of Tuur Rommens will give manager Danny Rohl an unwanted headache.
The 23-year-old has picked up a “muscle injury” that will keep him out for at least the next two games, according to Rohl, who may be sweating on his inclusion in the running game.
Arguably the standout player from January’s incoming crop, Rommens has settled in well in recent weeks, looking particularly dangerous in that 2-2 Glasgow derby last month.
In just six Premiership games, the Belgian has scored one goal, provided one assist and created four ‘big chances’, leaving young Jayden Meghoma with big boots to fill. Is a loan man from Brentford the right solution?
The way Meghoma performed when Rangers defeated Dundee United
Left-back has long been a problem at Ibrox, before Rommens’ arrival, with the likes of Ridvan Yilmaz and Jefte failing to carve out a regular role in recent years, while Max Aarons was deployed on that side in the opening weeks of the season.
His loan partner, Meghoma, has provided a more consistent presence when called upon, although the 19-year-old is not on Rommens’ level, scoring once, registering four assists and creating just four ‘big chances’ in 2025/26, despite starting 23 games.
The youngster lacks that real attacking edge that the Belgian provides, which was evident last time they played against Dundee United, as the home side won 4-2.
Indeed, Meghoma provided the key pass alone, successfully completing just one of four of his crosses and failing to register a single successful dribble in that 90-minute outing.
Defensively, he was once again found wanting for a pass, winning just three of nine in total, when he was caught napping in the build-up to Zac Sapsford’s second-half strike, after failing to follow the reported trail of Gers’ Luca Stephenson behind him.
|
Meghoma vs Rommens – 25/26 SPFL |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Meghoma |
Statistics (*per game) |
The Romans |
|
26 |
Games |
6 |
|
1 |
Goals |
1 |
|
4 |
It helps |
1 |
|
4 |
Great opportunities have been created |
4 |
|
84% |
Pass accuracy* |
81% |
|
0.7 |
Key passes* |
2.7 |
|
0.7 |
Success. crosses* |
2.0 |
|
0.3 |
Success. dribble* |
0.3 |
|
3 |
Mistakes |
0 |
|
2.1 |
Combat attack* |
2.8 |
Such a lapse in concentration ultimately didn’t cost him much, but whether he can be trusted going forward remains to be seen, as he has made three mistakes that have led to firings this season.
Hopefully, Rommens will be back soon, though for now, Rohl may have to come up with a wildcard solution.
The £4m Rangers star could be a wildcard solution at left-back
If Rohl is to find another option in that side, a more orthodox tweak might be to move the versatile Dujon Sterling to left back, while returning James Tavernier to the starting line-up for his favored side.
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That said, if you’re looking for a natural left foot to replace Meghoma, and one who can provide real attack, then Ivory Coast midfielder Mohamed Diomande would be a left-footed choice.
The 24-year-old – who signed from Nordsjaelland in a £4m deal – has featured mainly in midfield or on the wing during his form so far, netting ten goals in 113 appearances for the Gers so far.
Back in Denmark, however, in his 111 appearances for his former employers, two of them came at left-back in 2020, with Diomande signing up as a starter.
Sometimes the mainstay of this Rangers side alongside Nico Raskin, the eight-cap international has disappeared in recent weeks, while Tochi Chukwuani is often the preferred choice next to the Belgian.
Diomande has not featured in the league since coming off for ten minutes against Hearts, despite registering two assists in two league games prior to that, including an away tie at Motherwell.
The left-footer connected with Raskin to open the scoring on the night following a stunning solo run from deep, showing the kind of ball-handling skills that would make him a useful asset as a replacement for Rommens from the fullback berth.
In football, as that help is evident, he is dangerous in the sense of design, and he does not hesitate to defend, averaging 1.9 tackles and blocks per game in the Premiership, while he has been passed 0.7 times per game.
Compared to Meghoma himself, Diomande won 50% of all his duels and 43% of his aerial contests, as well as losing the ball only 7.4 times per game. The Englishman, on the other hand, averaged 48%, 23% and 11.1 in those three metrics, respectively.
Of course, moving Diomande may not be a long-term fit, but it would be a way to bring such talent back to the team, while his ability to slot in and join the midfield would give Rohl’s men more control in that department.
With a trip to Falkirk next on the agenda, could it be time for the German to test himself?
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