It didn’t take long for the Rangers faithful to reach a verdict on their new January signing. Tochi Chukwuani, arriving with a £4.3 million price tag from Sturm Graz, made his debut in the Scottish Cup fourth round against Annan Athletic on Friday night—and within just 26 minutes, he had the Ibrox crowd convinced.
Stepping into a midfield depleted by the long-term injury to Connor Barron, the 22-year-old Dane looked like a veteran from the first whistle. Despite the rain-slicked Govan turf, Chukwuani’s physical presence and composure were immediately evident. Fans took to social media to praise his “press-resistant” nature and his ability to progress the ball vertically—a trait many felt had been missing under previous management.
”He looks like the missing piece of the puzzle,” noted one fan on X. “Strong, calm on the ball, and actually looks forward before passing. 26 minutes was all I needed to see.”
With a vital run of Premiership fixtures ahead, Danny Röhl’s first signing appears to be a masterstroke. If this 26-minute cameo is any indication, Chukwuani isn’t just a backup for the injured; he is the new engine of the Rangers midfield.