Eduard Spertsyan, racing forward from inside his own half, confused two Baltika defenders with a swift change of direction before finishing into the far corner.

Spertsyan’s goal-scoring abilities in central midfield have been compared to Frank Lampard and former Rangers manager Steven Gerrard. However, the Krasnodar talisman’s approach to the penalty area was almost Kaka-like, as he effortlessly finished a chance he created.

This is why Rangers like Eduard Spertsyan

Spertsyan then demonstrated his set-piece expertise by directing an inch-perfect cross straight into the head of attacker Jhon Cordoba, giving Krasnodar a 3-2 victory.

With Borna Barisic on his way and James Tavernier turning 33 in October, Rangers’ dead-ball specialists may be entering the autumn of their respective Ibrox careers. However, the latter still appears to have plenty in the tank.

Spertsyan, who has 21 assists and 24 goals since the start of last season, would provide Rangers with an alternative to corners and free kicks. However, while HITC has heard that the 23-year-old is a player that Rangers are interested in, it would be inaccurate to assume that he is a particularly viable alternative this summer.

Plenty of obstacles in way of Ibrox switch

For starters, the estimated cost is £13 million. A cost that would force Rangers to break a club record that had stood for more than 20 years. Spertsyan is expected to play in the Eredivisie, possibly replacing Malik Tillman at PSV Eindhoven, as British clubs are hesitant to invest heavily in Russian clubs due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Still, dreams are free, even if Spertsyan is not. And, following another Man of the Match award-winning performance from a player deemed ‘one of the best midfielders in Europe’ by a former Krasnodar manager, there’s little harm in thinking what Spertsyan may bring to Ibrox.

“Eduard is smart, a hard worker, a good person, and a football player,” former Armenia goalkeeper David Yurchenko tells Match TV.

“He is the best footballer in the current generation of the Armenian national team after Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Inter Milan. Spertsyan is a brilliant spark. He can do a lot.”

Krasnodar is in the midst of a thrilling title battle, just as the Rangers are. With five matches remaining, Spertsyan’s squad is only one point behind Zenit St Petersburg.

GET MORE NEWS HERE