Mikey Moore emerging from rough start at Rangers as early Tottenham Hotspur return murmurs addressed
On-loan winger showing new lease of life under Danny Rohl
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A grinning Russell Martin in a plain white tee shirt, sporting director Kevin Thelwell’s hand resting supposedly reassuringly on the shoulder of the young player sitting in front of him. Mikey Moore’s signing photograph feels like it is from another age.
It is from just over 100 days ago. It could well feel like a lifetime for an 18-year-old, particularly one who has lived through an era at Rangers Football Club that will go down in their annals as among the grimmest.
“I think with the new boss and the way that we play, it’s a great place to be at the minute,” is one of the quotes from that first interview with the then 17-year-old, following his arrival on loan from Spurs. It could be a line from his post-match interview at Dens Park on Sunday. In fact, Moore said something broadly similar following the 3-0 win, when he managed to score his first goal for the club.
Of course, it is Danny Rohl rather than Martin who he is referencing when he gives credit to “the boss”. The new boss seems very unlike the old boss in that he is giving Moore the freedom to express himself.
Martin’s version of Rangers seemed to be identified by an anxiety to do anything ‘off the cuff’, which isn’t very helpful for flair players like Moore. The winger appeared to shrink into himself. It doesn’t make it any easier when the deep unhappiness evident in the stand is spilling down on to the pitch.
It seemed no one would be too bothered, including the player himself, if he was quietly returned to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium with a note saying 'thanks, but we will probably get by without him'. In fact, there were rumours that Moore himself had enquired about cutting short his loan deal such was the extent of the turbulence.
Even Moore wasn’t immune to the criticism. Despite his young age, he arrived with something of a reputation. He played for Spurs’ Under 21s when he was just 15. He became the youngest player to play for the club in the Premier League when appearing against Manchester City aged just 16 years and 277 days.
He was a well-known name and had been expected to hit the ground running with little heed paid to the fact he was coming to a different league and a club in a period of severe flux.
Moore denies he had investigated moving back to London prematurely. “A lot of stuff goes in the media that’s never true,” he said. “I was never ready to go back, I always knew that at some point it would change. I've changed it for myself a little bit in the last few weeks. I need to keep building and playing even better than I am, so I'm picking up the goals and assists that I need to.”
He is alert to the fact that although he was being praised for displays against the likes of AS Roma and Celtic, it was only a case of distinguishing himself in defeats.
He needs to hurt teams like he did in the first half against Dundee, when he scored one from the edge of the area and might have scored again but for a long VAR check that ruled an earlier offside infringement by Mohamed Diomande. “I've had a lot more chance in front of goal, I've had a bit of freedom to move across the pitch, so yeah, I've been happy playing under him,” he said, when asked about Rohl's impact on him personally. “I'm excited to keep that going.”
“It was a difficult start for me. I don't think I showed anywhere near what I know I can do,” he added.
“I think mentally it's been unbelievable for me because it's a massive club. It's strengthened me up a lot because it's the first bit of tough time I've been through. Now I'm happy to be coming out of it. But I need to keep on going and performing.”
Of course, this being Rangers, it’s not all sweetness and light. Although they have now strung three league victories together for the first time since last December, and Moore is among those showing better form, there is still significant concern over the centre forward position. Another reason for Moore’s struggles was - and is - the form of players for whom he is meant to be creating assists.
Bojan Miovski was taken off at half time against Dundee to give Youssef Chermiti the chance to kick-start his Ibrox career. The expensive purchase from Everton is taking a lot of the heat though Miovski is hardly flying at Rangers having hit just two goals in 13 appearances, with blanks in his last seven games. Rohl says he sees “good things” as well as "moments that need to improve" from all three forwards. Danilo started alongside Miovski against Dundee and is just as prone to anonymity. Moore is evidence of what’s possible.
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