Rangers' Kasanwirjo speaks on return from injury
Kasanwirjo limped off during an U23s game for the Netherlands against England in November, and says he is thrilled to be back on the pitch.
The Dutchman told the club website: 'It was good, I really enjoyed it. It had been a serious injury, and I hadn't played a game for a long time, so it was great.
Read more:
'It was decided before the game that I would play 45 minutes, and it was a good period to start with and I feel good. It was very special to get a goal too. Paul [Nsio] said to me before the game that I was going to score, and he was so happy for me!
'I had never been part of that group, but I trained for a bit with them during the week and I see some of them when they train with the first-team. It was a good group, and they managed to win the cup for the second time in a row, so it was a good night for everybody.'
As he left the pitch during the 1-1 draw with England, Kasanwirjo says he knew immediately his injury was serious.
'When I made the twist, I already knew it was not good,' he said. 'I had the surgery, and it all went well and now I am where I am, so I am happy. About five years ago I had an injury but it was not like this with the surgery, so it was more difficult for me to deal with.
After five months on the sidelines with a knee injury, Neraysho Kasanwirjo returned to action on Tuesday night with @RFC_Youth in the Glasgow Cup at Firhill.
Click below to read more from Kasanwirjo as he continues his return to full-fitness ⤵️ — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) May 2, 2025
'Rehab was good, I was back in Holland and then I came to Rangers, and it went really well. I had a lot of contact with the physio in Holland and the physios and doctors at Rangers so they both really supported me.
'When I got back to Glasgow, I was almost fit and that was difficult because even though I was feeling good, I still couldn't train. When I saw the guys going outside to train and I had to train alone it was hard.
'They were coming in and getting ready to play games and I had to watch from the side, all I wanted to do was play but they all really helped me a lot and now I am happy to be on the way back.
'I hope I can play some minutes in the remaining games, it is up to the gaffer, but I will do what I can and keep working hard.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Russell Martin reassures his concerned mum he can handle the heat at Rangers
Gers boss admits mum Kerry worries about all the negativity but he's looking on the Ibrox bright side It's taken Russell Martin just eight weeks to learn that lately at Ibrox, glasses haven't been so much half empty as bone dry. The wells of optimism that were filled by the club's summer takeover have already seeped away on the back of a stuttering start to the Premiership campaign and a string of underwhelming displays. And yet, here Martin and his men stand just 180 minutes away from toasting a place in European football's top tournament and a £40million payday. You'd hardly know it given some of the pessimistic groans that have been rumbling around Ibrox in recent days. The negativity surrounding his team has been almost impossible for the Rangers boss to ignore. Jeez, he's even his mum Kerry on the phone to check if he was OK. Thankfully for Mrs Martin, her boy is coping just fine. While others around him might be struggling to see the bright side, the Ibrox gaffer is drinking from a glass that is brimming with excitement at the possibilities ahead. 'I think you have to roll the punches here for sure,' said Martin ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League shootout with Club Brugge. 'We understand we were going to have a bit of pain to go through - but we have to win while we're going through some pain. So we're into this round which is a huge opportunity to qualify for one of the best competitions in world football. "I really hope that we give the lads enough belief that we can do it. I know the supporters will definitely do their bit for the team. It could be a really brilliant night. "When you come to this club, you have a chance to have experiences and moments you just don't get at any other football club, and tomorrow night can be another night like that. 'I spoke to the players this week about the fact they have to enjoy it. They have to play with a bit more joy here at Ibrox because it can be so special. There's still a bit of tension at times now. 'Our job is to give them enough clarity and consistency that they can actually enjoy playing for this football club and enjoy moments like that, because it should be one of the best opportunities and times of your career. 'Of course it can be tough at times and all that stuff, but seize the opportunity you have whilst you're here. 'I think you have moments of joy when you're hungry, when you hunt the ball, when you run for each other, and you look around and your mate wants to take the ball, and you look after each other with the ball, and if there's a fight to be had, you fight together. 'So find joy in all of that. Enjoy the moment of playing in front of the 52,000. It's not easy. It's not easy as a footballer. It's sometimes really difficult. 'Our job is to give them enough clarity that they know exactly what they're doing, with and without the ball. And then the moments of enjoyment come from giving it absolutely everything you've got and celebrating even the small moments together. "If someone does their job, let them know, and look after each other a bit more. Everyone enjoys winning, of course. 'No-one enjoys losing. I'm just talking about enjoying setting foot in the building every day when you play for this football club when you know how much it means to so many people. 'I have a lot of people message me who read message boards and stuff who are concerned about me, and they just don't have to be. So I keep telling my mum 'don't worry about it, it's all good. I'm enjoying it!' 'I appreciate the honour of managing this club every day and the gratitude I feel for that. So let's have that in the building. 'So many of the staff here support the club but I think they've lost a bit of joy of working here. 'So let's get back to that. Let's understand how big this is and how brilliant it could be, and focus on what we can control and that is playing with so much energy tomorrow and really feeding off it.' Martin is trying to paint a rosy picture for his players but that's not to say he doesn't accept the image fans have of his team is far from flattering. He said: 'I just think all the time we have to talk about opportunity and seize it and the opportunities you have at this football club. 'So, I think when I talk about positivity and all that, I'm not sitting there going, 'it's all great'. It's not that false positivity that's just not realistic. 'We're realistic. We have to improve in so many areas. 'But let's look at the opportunities that are ahead of us and think about what it could look like in a month's time, in a week's time.' Six weeks have passed since Gers had a sneak peek at tonight's opponents when they hosted Brugge in a 2-2 Ibrox friendly. It provided Martin with an early reminder of the exalting standards expected of his team when they were booed off having fallen two down at the break. Gers rallied in the second half to avoid defeat but Martin admits that encounter won't have much relevance ahead of tonight's showdown. He said: 'I think both teams look very different already. "There's a few patterns we definitely looked at over the last few days that have been consistent in their games so far. 'But personnel are different. The circumstances are different. The atmosphere is going to be very different. 'So, I think it's very hard to read too much into that, for sure. 'We're a very different team now in terms of personnel as well. So no, we've watched a lot of their recent games rather than our friendly game. 'But, of course, we've looked at a few things from it.'
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Rangers made a massive mistake by not signing Josh Mulligan and their loss is Hibs' gain
From what I have seen from Mulligan so far, he has been an absolute standout at Easter Road It's a massive mistake from Rangers not to have signed Josh Mulligan. Their loss has been very much Hibs ' gain. Everyone knows that Rangers were in from Mulligan before their American-led takeover. That opened the door for Hibs. From what I have seen from him so far he has been an absolute standout at Easter Road. I thought he was brilliant against Livingston and in the European games, especially against Partizan Belgrade. His engine for 120 minutes against Partizan was outstanding. He was up and down the whole part of the game and had a real energy. He's just one of the guys you know what you're getting. He's really, really fit, talented and Scottish, which is great as well. I've liked him for a number of years at Dundee, from when they were down in the Championship and then won promotion back to the Premiership. He can play in numerous positions and he's got a great engine. The only real thing he was lacking was a finished product. But if he scores more goals like he did at the weekend then the Hibs fans will be delighted. Mulligan has made a brilliant start to his Hibs' career and hopefully it continues against Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League play-off. The first leg is at Easter Road on Thursday and that could be key. When you look at who Hibs have faced in Europe this season already, in Midtjylland and Partizan Belgrade, then I wouldn't imagine Legia Warsaw would be much better. It is probably a 50/50 tie although I would have the Poles as slight favourites because they have had more recent European experience. I certainly wouldn't like to go over to Legia needing to win the game. In saying that, I still fancy Hibs to go through. If they do, it would be a great achievement because they would have done it the hard way, getting into the group stages of European football for the first time. Obviously, Aberdeen winning the Scottish Cup was a spanner in the works for a lot of Hibs fans, in terms of getting guaranteed group stages. But if they go and do it this way then they would probably take more satisfaction from doing it this way, winning three big European ties and getting into the Conference League. It would be massive for the supporters and massive for the club. It's no secret that they've lost a few quid. I think the financial figures that are going to come out are not going to be great either, similar to last year. So qualification would give the club more of a sound financial footing as well as getting some money back in, depending on who they got in the group sections. Hibs will need to try and get a lead over there to take to Poland, but confidence is so high in the squad at the minute. David Gray changed half his team against Livingston and still won comfortably. It shows there is real confidence for places. The manager also managed to give his record signing, Thibault Klidje, a run out and he also scored. So everything is so positive at Hibs at the minute. Martin Boyle has been a real talisman for Hibs. You've seen it over in Belgrade, scoring a couple of goals in a really intimidating atmosphere. He seems to thrive in the bigger games. As I said, I was also impressed with Klidje against Livi. There's been a lot of screaming and shouting for him to be playing more minutes. But I just don't think he's been ready. Listen, it can be an instant judgment. Look at the boy Kusini Yengi at Aberdeen who was written off as a dud after two games. It would be similar if they put the boy Klidje in and if he wasn't very good at the start, people would make their minds up. So I think he's managed him well, he's let him get up to speed and he's let him settle in. There is competition up front but I would go with Kieron Bowie , who has been outstanding and Boyle. You could then bring Klidje on. The only really interesting selection for me is in the goalkeeping position. Raphael Sallinger came in against Livi. He looks great with the ball at his feet although he didn't have too much to do otherwise. Does the manager stay loyal to Jordan Smith or does he bring the boy Salinger in? I think he'll probably stay loyal to Smith, but I would probably change it. I would play the boy Salinger, but I think David Gray is big on loyalty and the boy Smith has done really well for him over the piece. For me, that is the only real decision that the manager has to make.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea plan nine-player firesale including desperate Raheem Sterling move
Chelsea's transfer business is far from over this summer with a number of exits from Stamford Bridge required as the Blues negotiate for two more deals before the window shuts Raheem Sterling is the most high-profile name facing a Chelsea exit as the Blues look to launch a firesale in the final days of the transfer window. The west London side still have a number of permanent deals and loans to facilitate in order to whittle down their squad. For a second season in succession, Chelsea have a group of players training separately from Enzo Maresca's first team while they look for moves away from Stamford Bridge. The likes of Christopher Nkunku, Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Canry Chukwuemeka, Tyrique George and Aaron Anselmino have all from clubs in Europe. Nicolas Jackson too has been linked with a transfer following the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap to Stamford Bridge. The Senegal international is still involved with Maresca's squad but was not in the team to take on Crystal Palace as Maresca noted: "The window transfer is open. He can leave, and we'll see." But that is not the only work required of sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart by the turn of the month. There a vast number of players not being considered part of the first team who at a pivotal point in their development and must move on or find a loan for experience. Alfie Gilchrist, who featured for the first team under Mauricio Pochettino, spent last season on loan at Sheffield United, while Alex Matos, another youngster who impressed the ex-Chelsea boss, spent time with Oxford United. They are not alone in requiring opportunities. Talented youth interenational Kiano Dyer, 18, was not involved for the club's under-21s on Monday and needs clarity, in addition too figures such as Omari Kellyman, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Ronni Stutter. David Datro Fofana too appears to have little place at the club having featured for loans at Union Berlin, Burnley and Goztepe since arriving at Chelsea in 2023. It already appears that the club are requiring to be adaptable. Both Chelsea and the 30-year-old winger would prefer a permanent exit, but are open to a loan as the likes of Fulham, West Ham and Crystal Palace mull over a move. Deals for all of the players above would see Chelsea move towards balancing the books after another significant summer of spending. The Blues have undertaken spending closee to £250million pounds already but brought in good fees for unwanted players such as Joao Felix and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. But Chelsea's ambitions to secure new arrrivals has not yet been dampened either. RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons and wantaway United winger Alejandro Garnacho remain on the agenda. It's understood Garnacho has already agreed terms with Chelsea, but a transfer has yet to follow suit. While RB Leipzig have warned the Blues they are willing to walk away from negotiations over Simons, despite the Dutchman's desire to make a switch to Stamford Bridge.
