Nasser Djiga has played three games for Rangers after making the move from Wolves to Glasgow for the season on loan.
Two of the Burkina Faso international’s three appearances have been of a competitive nature, which is a surprise for this stage of the summer.
Rangers are involved in the Champions League qualifiers, playing Panathinaikos over two legs, with Djiga involved in both
Djiga impressed on his Rangers debut and again in the second leg, as Rangers progressed to the next round of the qualification stages, where they’ll face Viktoria Plzen.
Russell Martin is delighted with Nasser Djiga
Wolves had to send Djiga on loan, as after signing the centre-back in January, Vitor Pereira only handed him 65 minutes in the Premier League.
It’s already proving to be the right decision, as Rangers fans are liking what they’re seeing from Djiga, as is manager Russell Martin.
Speaking to the media after Rangers’ second-leg win over Panathinaikos, Martin shouted out the Wolves loanee for being part of a ‘fantastic’ central defensive partnership.
“Big John [Souttar] and Nasser [Djiga] were fantastic. Jack Butland’s been brilliant over the two games; we need to rely on him less,” the former Southampton boss said.
It’s been an encouraging and action-packed start to life in Glasgow for Djiga, who is on the right path to having a season brimming with game time and the room to improve.
National media react to Djiga’s performance against Panathinaikos
Wolves could see Djiga return as a better player, with the possibility there for the January signing to have a similar impact at Molineux as Yerson Mosquera.
Mosquera wowed on loan over the 2023/24 campaigns before returning to show his worth last season in the top-flight.
If Djiga’s start to life at Rangers is anything to go by, then Wolves fans could be in for a treat by the time the 22-year-old returns.
| Nasser Djiga vs Panathinaikos |
| 90 minutes played |
| 6 defensive actions |
| 1 error leading to shot |
| 100% ground duels won |
| 50% aerial duels won |
| 93% passes completed |
| 2/3 successful long balls |
Daily Record lauded the Wolves loanee’s ‘superb’ performance against Panathinaikos in Greece, handing him an 8/10 match rating.
“Superb. Aggressive when required, dug Rothwell out a hole after sloppy first half pass and a couple of quality touches under pressure.”
It wasn’t a faultless display, as The National explained, but the newspaper still credited Djiga for righting his wrongs.
“Hardly rock-solid in the centre of defence. Clearly, instructed to play out at all costs, but too often played himself and his team-mates into trouble.
“To his credit, was never deterred by any mistakes and continued to play out and make himself available for the ball.”
Wolves will be keeping a firm eye on Djiga’s progress with Rangers throughout the season, ahead of his summer 2026 return.