Sheyi Ojo got off to the perfect start as Rangers began the 2019/20 campaign ridiculously early, with Steven Gerrard‘s side beating St Joseph’s 4-0 on Tuesday.
Ojo became the first player to leave Liverpool on loan this summer when he agreed to join Rangers on a season-long deal.
The 22-year-old’s prospects of a long-term role on Merseyside are slim, but after disappointing spells with Fulham and Stade de Reims he needs to find his feet this term.
Fortunately, Ojo appears to have done so in swift fashion, as Rangers played their first competitive game of the season just over seven weeks after the end of 2018/19.
That came in the Europa League qualifiers, as Gerrard’s second campaign as manager kicked off in Gibraltar with a first-round clash with St Joseph’s.
Making his debut, Ojo started in his natural wide role, filling the void left by Ryan Kent following his return to Liverpool—having laid out the blueprint for his academy team-mate.
And after a bright first half, Ojo truly made his mark 11 minutes into the second, clipping a brilliant finish into the far corner from just inside the penalty area with his left:
? What a way to start your Rangers career, Sheyi Ojo!
? He doubles @RangersFC lead on 56mins! pic.twitter.com/HIcnQoFpnn
— Premier Sports ? (@PremierSportsTV) 9 July 2019
Ojo produced an impressive all-round display in a decidedly simple clash for Rangers, with his goal adding to Ryan Jack’s opener and then followed by strikes from Borna Barisic and Alfredo Morelos.
It wasn’t the winger’s first since making the switch north of the border, with Ojo already having netted in a 2-0 friendly win over Mansfield Town and a 5-0 victory over Oxford Town at Ibrox.
The latter was a brilliant finish, similar to his goal in the Europa League, with his ability cutting in from the right promising to be hugely effective in the Scottish Premiership:
It is, of course, early days for Ojo at Rangers, but the hope will be that he can settle and finally put together a season of performances worthy of his potential.
Speaking with the club’s official website on his arrival at the end of June, he described it as “the right destination for me, for my career and for this season.”
Rangers fans seemingly feel the same way, as they took to Twitter during Tuesday evening’s win:
Boom @sheyi_ojo !!! What a signing this boy will be !
— ??Rab?? (@robertmcnaught) 9 July 2019
Sheyi Ojo looks class #rangers
— ????? (@Ibuckedyerda77) 9 July 2019
What a finish for @sheyi_ojo similar finish v oxford, bright future for that lad
— Snags (@Snagsy1980) 9 July 2019
SHEYI OJO I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR BABIES
— Heart & Hand (@ibroxrocks) 9 July 2019
? @sheyi_ojo quickly making a name for himself. pic.twitter.com/POe7qXYl4I
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) 9 July 2019
Ojo played the full 90 minutes at Victoria Stadium, picking up a yellow card in the closing stages in the only blemish on his debut.
Rangers host St Joseph’s in the second leg next Thursday, with another friendly against Marseille coming before then on Sunday.
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