After Artem Dzyuba struck twice to sink Scottish hopes of qualifying for Euro 2020, a selection of Rangers supporters have voiced their hope in seeing the Gers lodge an approach to see if the Russia captain would consider moving to Ibrox.
Dzyuba, who plays domestically for Zenit Saint Petersburg, is out of contract at the Russian Premier Liga outfit next summer, and would be free to discuss pre-contract agreements come the turn of the year ahead of a free transfer at the close of the season.
The 31-year-old, valued at £14.4million by TransferMarkt, has hit six goals in 15 games across all competitions for Zenit this term, along with eight assists, with his goal involvement directly helping to four wins and helped to hold Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais to a draw in their Europa League Group Stage meeting in September.
His brace on Thursday night against Steve Clarke’s Scotland came in devastating fashion as he moved his account on the international stage to 23 goals in 39 games, with Dzyuba first shrugging off Charlie Mulgrew before burying his left-footed volley into the top corner.
Dzyuba later added his second of the night when he again out-muscled Mulgrew, and slammed the ball home from close-range, to leave Scotland fifth in Group I – above only the winless San Marino, and 12-points behind second-placed Russia.
Some Rangers fans have now voiced their hope in the Gers at least lodging an approach to Dzyuba to sound out the chances of the Russia hitman moving to Ibrox as a free agent next summer, even if they concede the former Spartak Moscow man’s wages could prove to be an issue.
Here are some of the messages shared:
Dzyuba is out of contract next year. Probably out of our wage reach but I hope we ask just in case ?
— Heart & Hand (@ibroxrocks) October 10, 2019
He was my favourite player at the World Cup last year, absolute handful.
— Gavin Currie (@gavin_currie1) October 11, 2019
He would appease the lads on Follow Follow who constantly post about needing a big target man forward. Would also please the rest of us, cause the guy can actually play football as well.
— mada krats (@kratsmada) October 10, 2019
Is a big unit
— Craig Moore (@CraigMoore_18) October 11, 2019
He’s a cracking big target man, old school style!
— Zander (@82Zander) October 10, 2019
Like those keen on Dzyuba but aware his wage demands could prove problematic, some Rangers fans have been hesitant to join those clutching at hopes of seeing the Russian in light blue next season.
Some have suggested the 31-year-old would demand far too much for a transfer to be at all considerable, while others pointed to other experienced strikers set to be out of contract next summer, like Paris Saint-Germain’s Edison Cavani.
There has also been reported interest from the Premier League in Dzyuba, with Everton, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace said to have scouted the forward during the September international break (Riafan) when Russia traveled to Scotland.
So is Cavani but think we can safely say he will be a bit North of our wage structure
— Bmac (@1960bmac) October 10, 2019
Far too wee……..
— Tommy Ross (@copland11) October 10, 2019
While some Rangers fans hailed Dzyuba for the imposing nature he displayed up against Mulgrew on Thursday, a few Gers supporters held back on their praise, as they felt the Scotland defenders were allowing the striker’s talents to be exaggerated.
One also questioned if he would make Steven Gerrard’s line-up ahead of Jermain Defoe and Alfredo Morelos, who have combined for 14 goals in eight Premiership games thus far (WhoScored).
Defoe has also recently expressed a desire to remain at Ibrox beyond his 18-month loan spell that is set to expire next summer (Sky Sports, via Bournemouth Echo).
Bug mans a handful and can certainly finish but charlie mulgrew is making him look like hes balon d’or material ?
— Kevin Fox (@kfoxy84) October 10, 2019
Sure but would he be happy as 3rd choice?
— Chris McLaughlin (@Chr1sMcLaughlin) October 11, 2019