Should Rangers attempt Amad Diallo loan extension to experience untapped potential?

Back in February, the 19-year-old on loan from Manchester United had failed to square a ball into the path of Fashion Sakala that would’ve earned three points. There were shades of naivety in his performance but much like after the 3-0 defeat at Parkhead in February, he felt an easy scapegoat.

Since that match at Tannadice on the 20th of February, Amad has played 110 minutes of league football from a possible 810 and hasn’t featured at all in the Europa League. Social media personifies a player that has bought into the club and refused to check out despite a severe lack of game time. Celebrations on the pitch following progression to the Scottish Cup and Europa League final would give countenance to that opinion.

Therefore, a dynamic and compelling 45 minutes against United on Sunday appeared to turn the tide of public opinion surrounding the winger, prompting discussions of a possible loan deal this summer.

After arriving at the club last November, Giovanni van Bronckhorst reintroduced high and wide wingers to the tactical fold at Ibrox. While Ryan Kent was guaranteed to feature on the left, none of Scott Wright, Fashion Sakala or Ianis Hagi provided a consistent outlet on the right.

However, the Old Firm humiliation soon after the winter break prompted the Dutchman to change. A two-man midfield replaced Glen Kamara playing as the sole No.6 while Scott Arfield and Aaron Ramsey drifted infield from the right. Here’s an example from a 2-0 win over Hibs in early February. 

Gradually, van Bronckhorst has reverted back to playing a traditional winger on the right, Scott Wright has featured heavily since Ramsey’s injury in the Scottish Cup semi-final. You can see on Sunday the shape of the midfield features two No.8s with two wingers.

This wide right role is perfect for Amad. A look at his carry map from three full 90 minutes in the Premiership demonstrates where he prefers to receive the ball and take it, preferring to drive inside onto his favoured left foot.

Minutes after coming off the bench on Sunday, he received the ball wide, taking a sublime first touch from a Steven Davis lofted diagonal before entering the penalty box, eventually snatching at his finish.

Coincidently, two of the actions which did a good job of persuading the support that Amad has adapted and grown these past few months were tackles. Twice in two minutes, he was hit hard by Ross Graham, much to the irritation of van Bronckhorst.

His response was impressive. Instead of shying away from receiving the ball with Kevin McDonald breathing down his neck soon after, he made sure to nick the ball away before a challenge could follow.

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A carry into the final third was matched with end product, Amad played in Sakala who went close to scoring.

In addition to making incisive infield runs, Amad moves inside the full-back quickly, knowing his role doesn’t always require him to hug the touchline. An offside goal was all about Alex Lowry’s pass, but his recipients' movement inside the defence and finish deserved a goal.

The technique he displayed to use his first touch as a platform for his shot was impressive.

Rangers have consistently lacked wingers who hang at the back post and although Amad is crowded out in the below example, his position in between the centre-back and full-back has been regularly unfulfilled by inhibitors of the right-sided position this season.

He may well have connected if not for Scott McMann’s push.

A goal would follow and it demonstrated another impressive element of Amad’s game, his burst of pace beyond the defence.

As possession turns over, he recognises the opportunity to create a three against two and makes a central run through the gap in the defence.

And don’t underestimate the finish. On his weaker foot, he waits for Siegrist to commit before going over the top of United’s keeper, timing his finish perfectly.

A final action that caught the eye came 10 minutes from time. After initially losing out on regaining the ball high up the pitch.

Amad caught up with play to regain possession and start a sequence for his side.

His StatsBomb radar is taken from a very small sample size, but the boundary hitting in those moments is impressive. Look at his touches in the opposition box, goal threat successful dribbles and goal threat.

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Equally, his shot map shows nearly 2.5xG in under three full 90 minutes.

While it's taken him time to adapt, Sunday’s cameo appearance was a clear indicator that Amad can combat the physicality of the Scottish Premiership. Equally, in snippets, his quality when one-v-one and propensity to attack the box to provide a viable goal threat is exactly what Rangers need from the right.

Whether Man Utd would agree to another loan deal next season is unknown. Given the time Amad has spent out of the side, and their heavy investment in his services, that outcome seems unlikely.

And there is value to the claim that further evidence is needed of the attacker playing in a competitive environment to validate an adaptation.

However, Rangers supporters will see a player with the technical ability not easy to attract to the Scottish Premiership, who has grown in his short spell north of the border. Perhaps the Ivory Coast international’s impact will truly be felt next season. It feels more likely that his spell at Ibrox will be defined by ‘what ifs’.