'Dinked' finishes and glancing headers: Every Antonio Colak goal as Rangers transfer target analysed

Described as a penalty box poacher with ‘Greek god’ physique, the 28-year-old will supplement the Gers’ forward options after the team lacked a clinical edge in their failed Scottish Premiership title defence last term.

The Rangers Review has combed through all of Colak's goals since the 2019/20 campaign to gain a wider understanding of the Croatian’s goalscoring pedigree.

Indeed, Rangers fans are all too familiar with Colak’s finishing prowess, with Allan McGregor experiencing first-hand the conviction in the Croatian's across-the-goal shooting in the Champions League qualifiers last summer.

Colak typically goes across the goalkeeper with his finishes, keeping his head down in order to generate considerable power on his strikes. The Croatian has a high success rate in finding the corner of the net.

Even under pressure in the example below, Colak still manages to lash his effort into the bottom far corner.

The Croatian’s technique also opens up the possibility of dinked finishes. Goalkeepers typically look to spread themselves against Colak in anticipation of a shot across goal, forcing them to go to ground quicker. The 28-year-old is then able to lift the ball over the stranded goalkeeper.

As Colak is sent through, he shapes to shoot across goal first-time, keeping his eyes fixated on the ball.

The goalkeeper begins to go to ground, with his right leg outstretched to protect against Colak’s far post finish.

However, with the goalkeeper having lowered his body position, the 28-year-old uses the pace on the through pass to lift the ball over him and finish.

Colak is equally proficient at receiving on the half-turn in-and-around the penalty area. In doing so, the Croatian can quickly fashion shooting opportunities before opposing defenders are able to recover.

It also allows the 28-year-old to retain his central presence, as illustrated in his goal against HJK in Champions League qualifying for Malmo last term.

READ MORE: Why Antonio Colak transfer brings Giovanni van Bronckhorst a step closer to realising his Rangers vision

The Croatian is fed with a direct through ball to the edge of the penalty area.

The pass is zipped into his vicinity, yet Colak is able to sharply receive on his weaker side…

 …Which opens up a one-on-one shooting opportunity in a central location infront of goal.

Colak’s ability to swivel and strike on the half-turn helps him execute his finishes, as highlighted below.

This ability is even more pronounced further away from goal. Colak is consistently able to find the corners of the goal while shooting on the turn.

Again, his first touch in the instance below allows him to swivel and direct his finish into the bottom corner.

From a movement perspective, Colak is able to generate a high volume of close-range shooting opportunities. The Croatian’s comfort in operating on the last line of the opposing defence often allows him to stay ‘ahead’ of play for cut-back passes.

As he makes himself available for a through pass, notice how the opposing central defenders are confused as to which exact player should pick him up.

The ball is then shifted to the opposite side with a deft through pass. Colak has created separation from his opposing markers with his movement, allowing him to be positioned ahead of the defence and available for a simple cut-back.

The Croatian has an impressive ability to read the development of moves, placing himself in optimum positions to provide the finishing touch.

Malmo produce a clever free-kick routine in the example below, drawing the opposition out before dinking the ball towards the back post. 

Colak, in the meantime, strays into an offside position in the centre of the goal.

This allows him to stay 'ahead' of the move, providing a cut-back option to steer the ball into an unguarded net.

By constantly reading attacking situations, the Croatian is always on hand for a tap-in finish.

Coupled with his penalty box nous, Colak’s height – he stands at over six foot one – makes him a considerable threat from crosses. The 28-year-old has scored an array of perfectly-placed headers throughout his career.

READ MORE: Rangers transfer scouting: The John Lundstram 'upgrade' available on a free from Russia

Colak is adept at peeling off defenders to create space for headed opportunities.

He constantly seeks to position himself between defenders as it allows him to dominate the space between the width of the posts. In doing so, he can easily direct headers towards goal using the pace of the cross.

In the example below, Colak quickly moves into the space in the opposition’s defensive line.

As he’s positioned within the width the posts, Colak can then quickly divert his header towards goal.

He boasts an impressive ability to read the trajectory of crosses and make the necessary adjustments to get his attempt on target. In turn, this allows his side to be creative with their deliveries, which is evidenced in the example below.

Colak’s leap is equally as excellent, allowing him to rise off the ground early and avoid physical contact with defenders. By getting up to the ball early, he has more time to direct his headers into the corners of the goal.

Notice how he spots the space at the front post in the move below.

As the ball is delivered, he is aware of his surroundings, rising early to produce a glancing header that leaps over the goalkeeper at the far post.

Colak, in short, will provide Rangers with a consistent penalty box threat, boasting greater physicality than a forward option such as Kemar Roofe.

He is proficient when latching onto through passes, making him difficult for the opposition to pin down when the attacking midfielders have time on the ball between the lines.

A proven danger from crossing situations, he's capable of contorting his body to direct headers into the corners of the goal. Equally, Colak has displayed an array of composed finishes with his feet.

Granted, there are aspects of his game which require fine-tuning outside of the penalty area. Yet, as a pure goalscorer, van Bronckhorst appears to be getting the proven commodity in front of goal that he craves.