11 goals in 13 games: Prolific midfielder shows why Rangers wanted him

If we told you a midfielder Rangers tried to sign is playing the best football of his career in the Eredivisie right now, you’d be forgiven for assuming we’re talking about Joey Veerman, the want-away Heerenveen talisman who was the subject of a £3.8 million bid from Steven Gerrard’s side in July. 

But while the 22-year-old has certainly picked up where he left off after putting a sapping transfer saga behind him, Veerman – and pretty much everyone else in the division right now – is dancing to Guus Til’s tune. 

According to De Telegraaf – the same publication that broke news of Rangers’ Veerman bid – the Scottish champions also enquired about the availability of Til 12 months ago. 

The three-time Netherlands international was looking for a fresh start after a £16 million move to Spartak Moscow went wrong.  

However, rather than heading to Glasgow, Til joined Freiburg on a two-year loan deal. One Bundesliga start later, however, and injury-hit Til was on the move again, returning to his Netherlands homeland with Feyenoord. 

And finally, after the season from hell in Baden-Wurrttemburg, Til is starting to remind everyone why Rangers wanted him – and why Spartak Moscow were willing to part with £16 million for that matter. 

Is Rangers target Guus Til the best player in Holland right now?

Til, a progressive, dynamic attacking midfielder in the mould of a young Steven Gerrard, has always been a reliable source of goals from his favoured number ten role.

But he’s never been as prolific as this. Til has notched 11 in 13 games so far for Feyenoord including two superb strikes in the topsy-turvy 5-3 victory over NEC Nijmegen last time out. 

The first, a thumping header from a corner, was bettered by his second, a trademark burst into the penalty area followed by a stunning strike into the top corner.  

“I knew in advance he was capable of scoring goals but what he mainly brings is an unbelievable willpower and running ability when the opponent has the ball,” says Feyenoord coach Arne Slot, via Rijnmond.  

Unfortunately, a Feyenoord side sitting third in the Eredivisie has little choice but to enjoy Til while they can.  

“(Til) will eventually go back to Moscow, that’s what has been agreed between the three parties involved,” adds director Frank Arnesen. 

“He has a salary in Moscow that Feyenoord can’t come close to. He deserved that.” 

In other news, ‘Been a little frustrated’: Nisbet urges Gerrard to clean up Rangers issue before UEL clash