“Laudrup lite?” Why hysterical headlines about Rangers star might not be wrong | OneFootball

We’ve already penned a couple of pieces on our new flying Finn, Oliver Antman, but after our recent article on Rangers’ wingers it feels right to revisit him. For £4 million — an initial £3m rising to around £4–5m — Antman could be one of the biggest bargains Rangers have landed in years. Oliver Antman sparks comparisons to Brian Laudrup!

A respected transfer expert recently valued him at around £30 million. That may or may not prove accurate, but the metrics back it up and the man knows his stuff. Above all what we do know is this — we’ve rarely seen a debut at such a high level as the one Antman produced. He won a penalty, set up a goal and looked completely in control.

It reminded us a little of Brian Laudrup. That languid glide on the ball, the composure, the sense of effortless quality. The assist in particular had Laudrup written all over it — smooth pace, slick turn, easy scoop across goal. Older bears will remember how natural it looked when Laudrup delivered, and Antman had shades of that.

We’re not saying Antman is the Great Dane reborn. But the parallels are there with similar CV, similar price tag — roughly what Rangers paid for Laudrup back in the day — and both arrived with proven quality in strong European leagues. Antman has 21 goals and assists in 35 appearances at a high level in Holland. That doesn’t happen if you can’t play.

Even personality-wise there’s a likeness, and at a stretch, a slight resemblance. Moreover Laudrup had his Euro 92 triumph with Denmark, something Finland’s Antman won’t match internationally. And with 22 apps for Finland he’s regular at that level too. At club and international level he’s ticking many of the same boxes. Oliver Antman sparks comparisons to Brian Laudrup.

The biggest thing? He’s ours. Not a loanee we’ll wave goodbye to at the end of the season. He belongs to Rangers and looks delighted to be here. That alone makes him a huge coup. At 23, with his quality, CV and attitude, the sky really is the limit for Oliver Antman.