Ibrox Latest:Philippe Clement has sanction the purchase of 6 goals in 8 starts striker previously wanted by Ex-Gers Manager

Ibrox Latest:Philippe Clement has sanction the purchase of 6 goals in 8 starts striker previously wanted by Ex-Gers Manager

Ike Ugbo’s outstanding form at Sheffield Wednesday demonstrates why Mick Beale was keen to bring the striker to Rangers in the summer of 2023, with the ex-Chelsea youth threatening to make history with the Championship club.

In the history of the competition, no Sheffield Wednesday player has ever won the Player of the Month title. That will change, however, if Ike Ugbo can overcome competition and win the February title from Josh Sargeant, Omar Hutchinson, and Leeds United midfielder Ilya Gruev.

Few could argue that Ugbo, who was associated with Rangers via The Sun in the final days of the Mick Beale era, was not entitled of his own piece of Hillsborough history.

Mick Beale wanted Ike Ugbo at Rangers.

The Canadian international, who arrived on loan from French club Troyes in the January transfer window, scored five goals last month. In fact, in his first eight starts for Wednesday under manager Danny Rohl, Ukbo had six goals and one assist.

A stunning run of form has Sheffield Wednesday – a team that appeared doomed not long ago – on a four-game winning streak and on the verge of avoiding relegation.

“You look at what (your transfer targets) can do, and you have a little bit of an idea in your mind,” Rohl tells The Star of Ugbo, who worked with Beale in the Chelsea academy. “I’m glad we acquired these players.

“(Ugbo) deserved it,” the boss says, with Ugbo embracing his talisman position with a late winner against Rotherham United last Saturday. “He worked hard against the ball.”

“It was difficult in his initial role, pressing and knowing he would not receive the ball. It was all about forcing the long ball. He performed admirably, which is why he earned his goal.”

Not only a striker, but also a presser.

Rangers were connected with several forwards last summer before Beale invested substantially in bringing Danilo and Cyriel Dessers to Ibrox.

While all of the aforementioned offensive targets have struggled in recent months – Matija Frigan and Nikola Krstovic have combined for nine league goals – Ugbo is one Beale target who may have been worth pursuing.

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