Umar Sadiq Makes Immediate Impact On Rangers Debut, Forces A Wigan Own Goal

Published: July 29, 2018

It's been 19 days since Scottish Premiership side Rangers announced the signing of Umar Sadiq on a season-long loan from AS Roma, but the Nigerian had to wait until today before making his debut.

The inclusion of the lanky striker in the match day squad was the big news as Rangers thrashed Wigan Athletic 3-0 in their final pre-season friendly on Sunday afternoon.

Nine minutes into the second half, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard handed Sadiq Umar his debut and he made an immediate impact by forcing Alex Bruce to score an own goal in the 62nd minute.

Sadiq put the defender under pressure following a cross from the right and the goal was initially credited to him by Wigan in their live match report but was chalked off by Rangers.

Liverpool loanee Ovie Ejaria was involved in the buildup to the third goal and was one of the Rangers players that celebrated with Sadiq, thinking their new number nine had scored a debut goal.

The 21-year-old Sadiq was a key member of Nigeria's squad at the 2016 Olympic Games, finishing the competition with 4 goals in six matches to emerge the country's top scorer along with Oghenekaro Etebo.

He enjoyed a successful loan spell at NAC Breda in the second half of last season, scoring 5 goals ( 3 assists) in 12 Eredivisie matches.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : rangers.co.uk