MY ACCOUNT
Aaron Ramsey secured a sensational loan move to Rangers from Juventus in the final of hours of transfer deadline day.
The Welsh international, 31, has swapped Serie A for the Scottish Premiership as he bids to reignite his career at Ibrox after falling out of favour in Italy in recent months.
A Premier League star at Arsenal before his lucrative move to Juve, Ramsey’s capture has been hailed by some as the Gers’ biggest signing since Paul Gascoigne’s switch from Lazio in 1995.
The box-to-box midfielder will miss tonight’s Old Firm clash against Celtic but could make his debut against Hearts on Sunday.
Ahead of that first start, we take a closer look at what the Scottish champions can expect from their new signing.
Welsh wizard
It is easy to forget that Ramsey was regarded as one of the Premier League’s finest midfielders during his prime years at Arsenal.
Joining from Cardiff in 2008, Ramsey racked up 262 top-flight appearances during an 11-year stint at the Gunners — scoring 40 goals and providing a further 46 assists.
With sublime technical ability, expert passing and the ability to score goals, Arsene Wenger hailed him as the “complete midfielder” and made him a central cog in Arsenal’s team during the 2010s.
That side were often criticised for their trophy haul, but Ramsey did pick up three FA Cup winner’s medals — with the engine room operator scoring the winner in the 2014 and 2017 finals.
And that is not to mention the influential role he played in Wales’ fairytale performances during that period.
The Dragons’ memorable run to the Euro 2016 semi-final — where Ramsey grabbed a goal and four assists — was a notable highlight.
Frustration
But repeated injuries began to reduce his influence at club level and manager Unai Emery opted to move the Welshman on after his first season in charge of Arsenal.
Large sections of the Gunners’ fanbase bemoaned this decision, while Ramsey’s free transfer to Juve was hailed as smart business by the then Italian champions.
The Caerphilly-born maestro picked up the Serie A title in his first season but it is fair to say he has struggled to have the desired impact overall.
Over two-and-a-half seasons, Ramsey has amassed 70 appearances for the Old Lady but completed 90 minutes on only a handful of occasions.
Not featuring since October this campaign, it was clear a loan move would be the best opportunity to put a string of appearances together and revive his career.
Back on the pitch
That is exactly what he should get in Glasgow with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers.
Ramsey looks to be a classy addition to the Gers midfield, with talented pair Joe Aribo and Glen Kamara sure to flourish alongside their esteemed new partner.
But while his addition is sure to lift the levels of those around him, returning to his form of old will be his number one priority.
On his troubled recent years at club level, Ramsey told Sky Sports: “Obviously it’s been challenging and I want to play. Throughout my career, I’ve played many games and the last couple of seasons have been a bit difficult at times.
“There have been a few hiccups, but that’s the past now.
“I’m only looking forward to this challenge and hopefully I can get back to match fitness as quickly as possible and I can show what I’m capable of doing again.”
With Wales hoping for more heroics at the World Cup at the end of the year — if they get through the March play-offs — Ramsey is not short of motivation to get himself fit and firing once again.
Big-game player
But Ramsey is under no illusions as he prepares for the cauldron that awaits him north of the border.
While he will have to wait until April for his first taste of the Old Firm rivalry, he is set for plenty of pressure-filled occasions with just two points separating the inter-city foes in the Scottish title race.
There is also European action for Ramsey to look forward to, with Rangers bidding to go far in the Europa League, starting with a mouth-watering tie against Borussia Dortmund later this month.
For a player that has shown a penchant for stealing the limelight for Arsenal and Wales, playing in front of a raucous Ibrox crowd should be one that he relishes.
Upon signing, Ramsey said: “I am really pleased to be joining a club like Rangers, where there is so much to look forward to between now and May.
“I had a number of offers on the table, but none matched the magnitude of this club, with European football and the chance to play in front of 50,000 fans every other week.”
Though there is undoubted talent in the Rangers squad, parallels can be drawn between the talismanic role he often plays for Wales and the one he could enjoy at his new loan club.
If he returns to those previous heights, Ramsey could prove the difference in ensuring the Scottish title remains in the blue half of Glasgow.
