{"id":260582,"date":"2026-09-01T07:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T07:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/01\/how-rangers-can-quickly-sign-a-dream-partner-for-kevin-kelsy\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T07:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T07:10:11","slug":"how-rangers-can-quickly-sign-a-dream-partner-for-kevin-kelsy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/01\/how-rangers-can-quickly-sign-a-dream-partner-for-kevin-kelsy\/","title":{"rendered":"How Rangers can quickly sign a dream partner for Kevin Kelsy"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Glasgow Rangers<\/a> are finally closing in on the number nine they have been chasing to replace Youssef Chermiti, who is set to miss an extended period of time with an ACL injury.<\/p>\n

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The Light Blues had to react in the transfer market after the Portugal U21 international sustained the blow early on in the campaign, and their prime target is now set for a move to Ibrox.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Kacper Pempel<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Portland Timbers centre-forward Kevin Kelsy has travelled to Scotland to undergo a medical with the Scottish Premiership<\/a> giants after the club agreed a deal worth around \u00a39m for the striker.<\/p>\n

The Venezuela international is set to compete with Lawrence Shankland and Ryan Naderi for a starting berth in Derek McInnes<\/a>‘ side this season.<\/p>\n

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\n Why Kevin Kelsy will be the first-choice for Rangers<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Shankland started and scored the winning goal, from the penalty spot, in the club’s 1-0 win away at Aberdeen in the Premiership on Sunday, but he has not had an impressive start to life in Glasgow since his move from Hearts.<\/p>\n

The Scotland international is yet to score a goal from open play in a Gers shirt, scoring two penalties in eight matches in all competitions, and has only started one of the last four games.<\/p>\n

Naderi, meanwhile, has scored two goals in seven appearances in all competitions, but he has yet to find the back of the net in the Premiership, and has only scored once in the league since his January switch from Hansa Rostock.<\/p>\n

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26\/27 Premiership<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Naderi<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Shankland<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Appearances<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

xG<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.51<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.47<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Goals<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Big chances created<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Assists<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Ground duel success rate<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

20%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

18%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Aerial duel success rate<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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50%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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23%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

The two Rangers strikers have both struggled in duels in the Premiership, to go along with their struggles at the top end of the pitch, and that is one of the reasons why Kelsy looks primed to be McInnes’ first-choice.<\/p>\n

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\"kevin-kelsy-venezuela\"\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

In the 2026 MLS campaign, the 22-year-old striker has won 36% of his ground duels and 61% of his aerial battles across 20 games, alongside nine goals from 8.94 xG.<\/p>\n

Kelsy, therefore, could arrive at Ibrox as an immediate starting option because of the physicality that he brings to the striker position, as well as his ability to score goals regularly and finish his chances efficiently.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n How Rangers can already sign a dream partner for Kelsy<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

A new striker may not be the last piece of business done by the club before the deadline, though, as they are also looking at a player who could be a dream partner for Kelsy in the final third.<\/p>\n