Playing in 'crazy' Rangers atmosphere - full Antonio Colak Q&A

He spoke to new signing Antonio Colak about his move to Ibrox, here is everything the Croatian had to say.

You’re finally a Rangers player, you must be pleased it’s over the line?

I am really excited and happy, it couldn’t be a better feeling, to be honest. It’s finally happened. There were some hard negotiations but nowadays that is normal in football. The feeling the boss gave me, Ross [Wilson] and everybody around the team, they gave me an amazing feeling and now I’m here, it couldn’t be better.

You helped knock Rangers out of the Champions League last year, how confident are you that you can help them qualify this year?

Yeah, I hope so. You see what a group this is because if it wasn’t an amazing group they wouldn’t have got to the Europa League final. We just have to keep that team spirit and I’ll try to bring myself as good as possible. Of course, it’s important to be on point when these games are starting because it’s the beginning of the season. You don’t have much season experience when you play in the qualifiers but it’s one of our big targets. We want to achieve that to go to the group stage and win titles and for this, we have to fight hard.

Did you watch Rangers’ run to Seville?

Yeah, I did. Not only since I played against them. I like to follow football a lot so it’s not so difficult to know the names because I know from watching them on TV and on the internet.

How much did you enjoy playing at Ibrox for Malmo and how much are you looking forward to playing for those supporters?

It was an amazing crowd. It was the first full stadium after Covid I think and it was an amazing atmosphere. Of course, in the end, they were a little bit silent but I hope in my time here I can heat them up. I want to experience this crazy atmosphere and I am really looking forward to the push from the fans. I hope we can celebrate a lot of goals and a lot of wins together.

There were other clubs interested in you, why Rangers?

Yes, it’s true but when I knew Rangers wanted me it was only one option for me. Rangers is a big institution, it’s a big club, it’s Rangers. Everybody knows what kind of club it is, it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world. For me, there was no other choice than to choose Rangers.

Do you hope to put down some roots in Glasgow because you have been to a few clubs already?

Yeah, I hope so. My life is like this, it’s never easy but it’s always going up. I’ve always had to fight for my achievements. Sometimes as a loan player, you don’t always have the luck, but always if I stay for a long time I achieve a lot and score a lot of goals. I’m really looking forward to my time here. I want to stay here as long as possible and score many goals.

How difficult is it to go from club to club not only as a footballer but as a person?

As a footballer, it’s tough to be honest because you want to settle in somewhere and be happy and it’s not easy. For me, as a person, I am really open-minded and open-hearted. I like to meet new people and experience new things so it’s not that difficult. All in all, I want to settle in somewhere and stay long term because you can then feel more at home. I think in Glasgow Rangers I have found that already. I have had so many messages and so much support that I feel part of the family and it feels like home already.”

Did you chat with Borna Barisic and Nikola Katic before you signed?

We chatted before I joined Rangers, but I was not sure I would join and I didn’t want to bring false hope. I didn’t want to speak, but when the final decision was made I got in touch with them and we were speaking a lot. In the camp in Portugal they really helped me a lot, but then so did everyone.

Have you had an initiation and been made to sing in front of the squad?

Not yet no! I’ll try to push it as far away as possible. No, I’m joking. They will be expecting it soon for sure.

There is huge pressure on Rangers to win and win titles, do you enjoy the pressure?

Yeah, of course, I enjoy the pressure. I am getting to know the group and I can see that everyone is really high professionally. Everyone wants to win, even in training. That suits me, I enjoy it because I like to win every game and I want to score in every game. These are the positive ambitions I have.

Do you think your time in Sweden will prepare you for the physicality of Scottish football?

Yeah, I hope so. Every league is different and I have to adapt to the Scottish league. I just have to prepare properly and I know I will.

Is it your hope you may catch the eye of the Croatian national team boss with your performances for Rangers?

Yeah, of course. Last year, I qualified with them for the World Cup and I hope to get back there again. It’s a big target at the end of the year for me. But first I have to do my work here at Rangers and then see what will happen.

With Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe out, you may need to hit the ground running, is that something you are ready for?

Yeah, of course. If you are playing at big clubs then you will always have quality players in each position. There is always competition. There is always a lot of pressure but I am looking forward to working hard and improving. I want to be successful. Everybody wants to be successful.

What do you make of Alfredo as a striker?

He has scored a lot of goals over his time here at Rangers and I want to bring that myself.