New Rangers signing Sam Lammers defends his goal record

Dutchman only scored twice last season during loan spells at Empoli and Sampdoria. 

When football clubs sign strikers, questions of cost typically arise surrounding the said player. In Sam Lammers case, who has been signed by Rangers ahead of the 2023/24 season, the question centres around his goal-scoring capabilities. Fans are wondering if Rangers are spending their money on the right players. After only scoring two goals last season whilst on loan to two different Italian clubs, Sam Lammers defends his ability to score goals. It begs the question as to whether Rangers can unlock the potential Lammers has to offer. 

The Dutch forward has scored 31 goals during his 139 appearances since 2016, most of which were scored whilst he was on loan to SC Heerenveen in 2018–19. His goal count declined significantly after scoring 19 goals with Heerenveen, down to two during his first season with Atalanta BC. A year later, Lammers again only scored two goals in 22 appearances with Eintracht Frankfurt whilst on loan there in 2021–22. With his career somewhat experiencing a number of ups and downs, concerns have already been raised surrounding Lammers’ potential. But the Dutchman is hopeful that the style of play at Rangers and in the Scottish Premiership will open up more opportunities for him to score goals. 

“I think if you see the real chances I got last season, there were not many. This is, of course, not only the fact that it is difficult for the club. I can also blame myself for this. This is a big factor. At a team like Rangers, you should be the better team almost every week and I should get more chances to score goals.” 

Defending his offensive abilities, Lammers stated, “I have always been a real striker. I have always played as a striker. I am not a striker who stays in the box only, I like to get on the ball and have a connection with my team-mates. When I drop down, the midfielder goes deep, for example. I think this fits well with what the trainer [manager Michael Beale] wants here. He likes players who can change positions and are not stuck in the same place. I think I can play in more positions. I like to be the striker but if I come down or play on the right or the left, it is also fine.” 

Under pressure to deliver at a club whose fans are hopeful for a season characterised by wins and silverware, Lammers believes he has experience playing with that challenge. Whilst the pressure is on for the club to qualify for the Champions League and compete for the Scottish Premiership title, Lammers will embrace that challenge. 

It is yet to be seen as to whether Lammers can live up to his belief that he is a real striker. 

Discussing his recent performance with Italian clubs Empoli then Sampdoria, Lammers commented that many of the matches were tough and his goal-scoring chances were limited. “As a striker, you want to score more goals than I did last season and have a better record. I think you can really have an opinion on that if you see the matches that I have played. A lot of matches last season were not easy. We played in the lower regions of Italy, not a lot of possession, a lot of hard work to keep the ball, long balls. 

“I have played in loads of teams who win a lot of matches so it is not as if I am not used to it. I think it is a good pressure for me. Of course, last season I played to stay in the league at both clubs in Italy where I played. Now it is going to be every game you should win to win the league. To play for the prizes, this is why you are a football player and also a reason to come here.” 

Before transferring to Rangers, manager Michael Beale had kept a close eye on Lammers since he showed promise in his youth performances for PSV. However, Lammers has only scored 31 goals since 2016, two of which were scored whilst on loan to Empoli then Sampdoria last season. The 26-year-old has described himself as a technical finisher, yet eyebrows have been raised as to whether this is the case, but Lammers believes that he can deliver for the style of play Beale wants. 

Rangers aspirations are set on Champions League success. They need to get past the third-qualifying round to reach the group stages. Lammers and the rest of the players at Rangers are looking forward to competing for a place in the latter stages of the tournament.   

“It is a big plus. It is coming soon already in the season so we need to be ready for the competition and the Champions League,” Lammers said.  “We need to make sure we are in the Champions League. As well as playing for the prizes, this is one of the things you dream of as a kid, to play Champions League football.”

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/new-rangers-signing-sam-lammers-defends-his-goal-record-sc8b25k98