Ryan Naderi has reflected on his debut for Czechia, describing his international bow as “the biggest game of his life”.
Fresh from that 3-1 defeat against Spain, in which the Rangers striker scored a disallowed goal, the Dresden-born player is set to feature against England on Tuesday night in the Nations League.
The reality is that Ryan Naderi has fought for this opportunity to make his breakthrough at Ibrox and impress the watching world.
His reward has been to play against Spain in Oviedo and now at Wembley.
Ryan Naderi goes from strength to strength
Like most of his Rangers teammates, the former Hansa Rostock front man endured an inglorious start to the season.
Some suggested he would be surplus to requirements under Derek McInnes, but the door has opened with injuries to Lawrence Shankland and Youssef Chermiti, and the recent Celtic double header speaks for itself.
Naderi has clicked with Kevin Kelsy, but his impact has been so much more than that.
Over the last month, he has grown in stature and impact. His aggression, workrate, tenacity, and output has been exemplary.
It’s no wonder Derek McInnes is loving his work.
As detailed by the Rangers Review, Naderi remarked on his international debut:
“I feel unbelievable,” he said.
“It was amazing to be on the field. I really enjoyed it.
“Of course, I was a little nervous because it’s a huge match, the biggest match of my life so far. I wanted to enjoy it.”
Naderi also detailed the influence of Pavel Nedved, in asking him to declare his allegiance to the Czechs, his mother’s homeland and the place where his grandmother still resides.
On Nedved’s impact, Naderi added: “When he said to me, ‘Son, do you fancy playing for the Czech Republic?’ It was a really nice moment.”
