Mentor makes comparison for Rangers summer signing amid 'pressure and emotion' verdict

Rangers defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo will experience a new “pressure and emotion” at Ibrox after signing on loan, according to former coach Danny Buijs.

The 22-year-old signed on loan with a club option to buy before last week’s transfer deadline, bolstering Philippe Clement’s defensive options.

Buijs coached and mentored Ajax youth product Kasanwirjo at Groningen before he was signed by parent club Feyenoord and now-Liverpool boss Arne Slot.

And he compared the experience he will live in Glasgow to the one he had at Feyenoord.

Speaking to the Daily Record [5 September], Buijs – now manager of Fortuna Sittard in the Eredivisie – said: “We all know Rangers and Celtic are two huge teams and if you play for one of them it will be a lot of pressure and emotion and you have to deal with that. If you can’t then simply you are not good enough to play at that level.

“However, if a youngster grows up at Ajax then a lot of the time they have already learned as a youth player to deal with more pressure.”

“We speak a lot in football about the technical qualities, tactical and physical but more and more the mental aspect is really, really important. That’s going to be really interesting for him.”

Rangers will give Neraysho Kasanwirjo a test in mentality

Rangers have a potential gem on their hands with Kasanwirjo, but a lot will depend on how he acclimatises to the “pressure and emotion” outlined by Buijs.

Many established players down the years have crumbled when playing for an Old Firm club, particularly during European runs or when the fight goes onto four fronts throughout a campaign – it can be tough physically and even more of a mental challenge.

At 22 and in his first experience of any British football, Kasanwirjo could be venturing somewhat into the unknown, but luckily for him, Dutch sporting culture is not too far off.

A versatile defender who Philippe Clement will be mightily relieved for Nils Koppen to have got over the line, his capability across the back line will likely see him get plenty of football this season.

And with players now set to be looking over their shoulders for their shirt a little more, this can only have a positive effect on performances which is much, much needed in Clement’s side.

In other Rangers news, Scott Wright reveals what made him leave Ibrox for League One.

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