Rangers FC is one of the most diverse clubs in Scotland in terms of the different nationalities represented in the team.
While this might surprise some people, the Scottish Premiership encompasses talent from all over the world, and this is certainly the case with Rangers FC.
The 54-time league champions are constantly scouting new talent from every pocket of the globe to remain competitive and fight for silverware.
As a club, the Light Blues are proud of their international signings, and constantly promote their key moments with the club on social media for younger generations of fans to appreciate their contribution to Rangers.
Some notable international players that have suited up for Rangers and left their mark at Ibrox Stadium in recent history include:
Nacho Novo (Spain), Stefan Klos (Germany), Tony Vidmar (Australia), Shota Arveladze (Georgia), Lorenzo Amoruso (Italy), Dado Prso (Croatia), Madjid Bougherra (Algeria), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Netherlands), and Peter Lovenkrands (Denmark).
The list goes on and on, but the players mentioned above are big names that fans in this era will instantly recognize. So, how many different nationalities are represented at Rangers today?
Looking at the first team squad selected by Steven Gerrard, and excluding players from Scotland, eleven different nationalities (listed below) can be found in the squad from four different continents:
- England: Seven players
- Northern Ireland: Steven Davis, Jordan Jones
- Croatia: Borna Barisic, Nikola Katic
- Sweden: Filip Helander
- Finland: Glen Kamara
- Switzerland: Cedric Itten
- Romania: Ianis Hagi
- Nigeria: Joe Aribo, Leon Balogun
- Canada: Scott Arfield
- Colombia: Alfredo Morelos
- Jamaica: Kemar Roofe (eligible to play for England as well)
The key to being a top team, both domestically and in European competitions, is to find talent and unique skills from all over the world. Rangers’ scouting department does not get enough credit for the work they do behind the scenes.
Steven Gerrard deserves to be praised as well for his ability to mesh these different skills and playing styles into an effective lineup with a common understanding of the game week in and week out.
It is still very early in the season, but this diverse squad currently has Rangers playing like Champions.