9 minutes in 6 games; £2.5m man Rangers sold last summer has ‘disappeared’ at new club

Some players provide almost a guarantee of goals, no matter where they play, and for whom. Others, however, need the right environment, the right system, and the right manager in which to thrive. 

For Rangers, during their former £2.5 million signings one and only season at Ibrox, appeared to tick enough of those boxes. While there was a sense that Mick Beale never really bought into Antonio Colak’s talents – preferring a striker capable of offering more out-of-possession than this old-school penalty-box poacher – you cannot argue with the numbers.

That the well-travelled centre-forward has found life so difficult since leaving Rangers for a fresh start in Italy, then, may come as a surprise to those who watched Colak put away chances like Ally McCoist in his pomp during 2022/23.

Former Rangers striker has ‘disappeared’ at new club

But glance through Colak’s stocked CV, and you will discover that feast and famine usually follow each other.

He scored 45 goals in two seasons at Rijeka in Croatia and then managed only four at Greek outfit PAOK. Colak then feasted on goals at Malmo and Rangers. But, starved of service at Parma, has only three in 18 games for his latest employers, a gloomy present following a bright start.

The Croatia international’s most recent effort came back in October. And having featured only once – and for just nine minutes – in Parma’s last six Serie B games, the chance of Colak moving clubs for a fourth successive summer appear to be increasing with every week he spends gathering dust on the bench.

Another fresh start?

To his credit, Parma coach Fabio Pecchia appreciates why things aren’t really working out.

Colak is the sort of striker who relies on chances. And, if he’s not getting them, his impact tends to be rather limited. The speedy Ange-Yoan Bonny continues to be preferred then, Pecchia obviously feeling that he can offer a more rounded threat in comparison to the often-lethal but arguably one-dimensional Colak.

“In recent months, Pecchia has alternated his strikers much more,” explains the Parma Live website. “Also giving few chances to and Colak, who (has) recently disappeared.”

Colak, at Rangers, sometimes felt like the right man under the wrong manager. At Parma, there’s nothing ‘right’ about it.

GET MORE NEWS ON RANGERS FC FROM SPORTNET247.CO.UK