Rangers' hot start with Bouanani on loan in the Old Firm
A hot Rangers start marks the kickoff of the Old Firm duels, while VfB loanee Badredine Bouanani featured in both matches. The 21‑year‑old winger, who was loaned from Stuttgart, appeared in the closing phases of both games. The fixtures took place shortly before the international break.
Old Firm duel and Bouanani's appearances
Rob Casey of the SNS Group describes the Old Firm derby as one of the hottest duels in the football world. The rivalry between the Glasgow city rivals Celtic and Rangers has provided excitement for decades. Both matches took place in Glasgow, the Scottish metropolis.
In the first encounter, Celtic won the quarter‑final of the Scottish Cup 3‑0. The result marked the start of the series and left the Rangers trailing. The cup winning run was a clear indication of the form of the Glasgow opponents.
A week later the duel shifted to league play, when Rangers were able to secure a 1‑0 victory. In both matches Bouanani was brought on in the closing phase, his appearances were numbers two and three for the Rangers. The young winger injected fresh energy into the game.
Loan, fees and purchase option
Bouanani moved to Scotland after the German summer transfer window had already closed. In Scotland, signings could still be completed until September 3, so the Rangers signed him on the Scottish deadline day. The transfer was labeled a Stuttgart transfer flop, as he came from Bad Cannstatt.
VfB Stuttgart had brought the 21‑year‑old Algerian in the summer for up to €20 million from OGC Nice. In the meantime he scored two goals and provided two assists for Stuttgart in 28 league matches, starting eleven times and featuring in the Bundesliga starting eleven on five occasions.
Before the loan move to Glasgow, Bouanani was not named in VfB's Champions League squad, a sign of his limited playing opportunities at the German club. The loan to the Rangers was therefore seen by all parties as a sensible solution. For the Rangers the player offered additional offensive options.
VfB is said to have received a loan fee of €500 000, and the Rangers were granted a purchase option of roughly €19 million. Given the lack of European participation and the Rangers' financial situation, the option appears unrealistic. VfB's record signing since the summer of 2000 is André Flo for €18 million, and to date the club has only paid ten or more million euros on four occasions.