Badredine Bouanani is yet to make an impact in Glasgow and that has led to some doubt on the viability of his latest career move.
When the winger arrived at Rangers on a season-long loan from VfB Stuttgart at the end of the transfer window, the move was framed as a pragmatic step forward.
The 21-year-old Algerian international, left out of Stuttgart’s plans and their Champions League squad, needed regular football to restart his development after a difficult first season in the Bundesliga.
Rangers, under Derek McInnes, offered a high-profile stage in a competitive league, complete with an option to buy that signalled genuine ambition on both sides.
Six weeks later, the picture looks far less encouraging.
Early doubt on Bouanani at Rangers
As detailed by DZFoot in the player’s homeland, Bouanani’s “situation is not improving”.
His latest outing, against Kilmarnock on Saturday, comprised the last four minutes of the 3-1 victory.
Across four appearances in all competitions since joining, he has accumulated just 98 minutes, with a single start, against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.
Brief cameos against Celtic in the League Cup (16 minutes) and the subsequent league derby (18 minutes) complete a sparse record that echoes the limited opportunities he faced toward the end of his time in Germany.
The numbers indicate a similar pattern, but that isn’t all of the story.
Time and inspiration on the Algerian’s side
Stuttgart had presented the loan as an important developmental step, emphasising the need for consistent high-level minutes.
That objective has not been met so far.
Minsu Kim is the main competitor for Badredine Bouanani.
However, no one can match his skill set. A left-footed right-winger known for his one-v-one ability and technical quality.
As well as the Korean, Derek McInnes’ preference for the recent 4-4-2 that has served the team so well is an obstacle in his way.
Chances will follow. It’s up to the player to take them.
If the recent pattern continues, the consequences could extend beyond club football.
Badredine Bouanani was left out of Brahim Hemdani’s first Algeria squad.
Without a clearer role and more regular involvement at Ibrox, the risk grows that other players will pull further ahead in the national team hierarchy.
Even if the manager is a cult hero in G51.
Prolonged inactivity is a genuine concern, but Bouanani has time on his side.
He barely featured this term for Stuttgart before his arrival at Rangers.
It will take time to get fully up to speed and of course, he needs minutes. There’s a strong argument that he should have been introduced much earlier against Kilmarnock, and McInnes has said he will reflect on his decisions.
The Algerian just needs to look at Dan Neil for inspiration. He was struggling for form through August, had not impressed and many had him written off.
The two Celtic games and more have transformed his standing. Bouanani needs to seize the initiative once the door opens for him.
He has the quality to make the desired impact for Rangers.
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