Rangers transfer scouting: Mateo Cassierra's cross converting attributes analysed

Alfredo Morelos is settled in Glasgow and Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s appointment catalysed the forward’s best spell at the club during his first months in charge. Kemar Roofe is an able deputy, even if his injury record remains patchy.

However, any squad is fluid when a transfer window is in full flow and given Rangers’ desire to adopt a player-trading model, a significant sale this summer is likely. Morelos has just a year left on his current contract, therefore it is not improbable that he has played his last game at the club and if so, a reliable replacement will be required.

One forward player linked recently is Mateo Cassierra, who name-checked van Bronckhorst when quizzed on a potential transfer to Scotland.

"I hope within the next week or so, my future will be confirmed and I will sign for a club who are good for me," he said.

"My priority is to stay in Europe because I have been here for five years now.

"The manager of Rangers knows me because when I was at Ajax, he was the manager of Feyenoord.”

Currently playing in Russia, the attacker is understandably keen to move elsewhere. Prior to his successful spell with Sochi, he played for Belenenses in Portugal, having moved from Ajax who paid $5.5million to Colombian outfit Deportivo Cali for his services at the age of 19.

Now 25, and coming off the back of an impressive scoring season in Russia’s Premier League, would the striker prove an attractive signing if the price was right?

What type of striker does van Bronckhorst’s system require?

First, let’s refresh our memories. Before van Bronckhorst arrived in Scotland, the Rangers Review suggested the manager’s use of forwards at Feyenoord could revive Morelos who appeared to be in a spell of stagnation.

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He didn’t stop the striker's involvement in build-up but adapted it, with Morelos now more likely to link play and attack the box as opposed to regularly switching possession and fulfilling a deep-lying forward role. Touches in the opposition box increased and a goal return improved. As detailed at the time his per 90 xG (expected goals), xG/Shot and shots all trended upwards.

Van Bronckhorst’s football is often more direct than Gerrard’s and the Dutchman’s appointment saw Morelos rediscover a physical element to his game which had gradually eroded away, along with runs in behind the defence.

In short, while flexible van Bronckhorst’s system requires a striker who can provide an out-ball in possession and transition and contribute outside the box without being required to knit together attacks and attack crosses. A mould Cassierra fits suitably.

Penalty box proficiency

Last season, Cassierra was the second top goalscorer in Russia, with 14 goals in just 22 games. An impressive 0.64 goals per 90 is equalled by his 14 goals from 13.76 xG (expected goals). Statistically, this impressive goal return was merited and not an overperformance.

A look at the player’s shot map reveals why. He is a penalty-box predator, often scoring from close range and spending plenty of time in the opposition's area. Only four forwards took more than his 6.03 touches in the penalty box per 90 last season.

The majority of his goals originate between the two posts and within 12 yards of goal, the central location of his goals and lack of finding either corner is not an immediate concern, rather it demonstrates that Cassierra is regularly well placed to finish crosses and cut-backs.

Here’s a good example, taken from his hat-trick on the final day of the season. Initially seeking to be slipped in behind the defence, Cassierra’s proactive movement earns him a simple tap-in.

A cynic may complain this is simply finding an open goal. But if finishing into empty nets regularly was easy, every striker would do it.

Here’s another empty-net finish that shows how potent Cassierro can be inside the penalty box. As his teammate approaches the box, a few faints create separation from his marker and opens the room necessary to make a late dash towards the back post.

The faked red line earns valuable space between the full-back and centre-back.

Here his movement in front of his marker before slipping around the back earns another comfortable finish.

His height and athleticism offer a favourable target for wide players. Again below, Cassierro has assumed an intelligent position between the full-back and centre-back to leap and power home.

In this example, the attacker evades his marker by slipping in behind again before arriving untracked to score.

An intelligent mover with an eye for space, Cassierro can find space and earn separation from his marker in condensed spaces and times his runs at crosses well.

Scoring progressive goals 

Another attribute that makes Cassierro an attractive proposition is his ability to play the athletic target man role. Like Morelos, although less dominant in duels, he can carry the ball on his own and thrive when isolated against defenders. Capable of creating chances without the assistance of teammates. 

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Here, when playing in Portugal, we see this play out. Making a lung-busting diagonal run, Cassierro matches his physicality with guile to sit down both goalkeeper and defender to round off a magnificent individual goal.

Below, he muscles his way to goal to score when up against two defenders.

Any striker who plays for Rangers in the Scottish Premiership must be able to contribute in possession. Not only when running through on goal, but in helping prising open a defence. Although Cassierro does not possess the vision of Morelos, he can interpret space well and drop in to offer a bounce pass and progress his team up the pitch. 

And although not a regular dribbler, when he does drop deep to link possession he possesses pace and power to attack space.

With a year left on his contract, it would take a fee to bring Cassierra to Ibrox.

For his qualities, he can also prove one-dimensional in possession, lacking the punchy passes Morelos provides and appears slightly erratic when not finishing from close range. However, to his credit, the above shot map demonstrates a lack of ill-advised shooting locations. 

He isn't the all-around forward Morelos is and doesn't find the corners like Roofe, however, Cassierra does boast a strong goals per game ratio and consistently occupies opportune areas of the box at opportune times. He may not be the most polished of players but Fashion Sakala's short time in Glasgow has demonstrated the importance of goals over aesthetic during his brief spells in the team domestically. 

Cassierra expects his future to be sorted soon and Rangers must address the right-wing position and contracts of key players before other starters arrive. It seems unlikely that one Colombian will partner or replace another in van Bronckhorst's team.