Loan Ranger Neraysho Kasanwirjo believes a little double Dutch can help him translate his impressive Malmo display into Premiership action.
The Feyenoord defender has joined Rangers on an initial 12-month deal and could make the move permanent if he shines this season. He got off to an impressive start on Thursday night as he helped shut out Swedish champions Malmo on his first start. With Jefte and Ridvan Yilmaz unavailable, the Dutch Under 21 right-back was asked to shunt across to the opposite flank.
But he was able to do more than just talk a good game with the help of Dutch-speaking boss Philippe Clement and compatriot Robin Propper. He said: “It’s been good. The coach helped me as well because when I don’t understand something, he explains it in Dutch. We can communicate in Dutch so it’s easier for us. I’m focused on getting minutes. I want to play as much as I can. I don’t care where it is, just where I can help the team and play.
“I had a good chat with the coach and I want to play as much as I can. This is why I made this step to Rangers. With Robin, we can also communicate in Dutch and he’s a good guy and player. He’s really direct and tells me what he wants and what he expects from me. We understand each other.”
It was a baptism of fire for Kasanwirjo as he stepped in to replace banned Brazilian Jefte. But he repaid Clement’s faith with a cool and composed display in a red-hot Eleda Stadion.
Now he’s hoping that will be enough to see him hang on to his jersey for today’s meeting against Hibs. He said: “Yeah, the manager prepared me last weekend for the game.
“He said I was maybe going to play on Thursday because Jefte was suspended. So my focus was on Thursday. During the week he helped me really well, we trained on the left-back position.
“And I think the team helped me as well. And then you see, when you come into the game, they help you and you help yourself to play good, to play simple.
“It was a good performance. I played last season at left-back and the coach knows it so he put me there and I do what I can. Where I play from now on I don’t know, it’s up to the coach.”