Chukwuani scores on his debut for Glasgow Rangers following his transfer from Strum Graz

NIGERIA-eligible central midfielder Tochi Chukwuani scored on his debut for Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers following his recent transfer from Austrian side Sturm Graz during the just-closed January window.

Chukwuani, 22, joined Rangers on January 11 on an initial three-and-a-half-year deal and played his first game over the weekend in the Scottish FA Cup. He was in fine form as Rangers secured a commanding 8-0 victory over Queen’s Park in the fifth-round tie at Ibrox Stadium, scoring the eighth goal to cap a dominant performance.

Former Scotland stars Steven Thompson and Callum Davidson have been quick to praise Chukwuani's influence on the game. Thompson, the former Rangers striker,  highlighted his intelligence and work rate in midfield, noting that the midfielder’s ability to disrupt opposition play and recover possession was a key factor in Rangers’ dominance.

He added: “Chukwuani is very good at picking up second balls and breaking up the play. Chukwuani is always in the right place at the right time, he reads the game brilliantly and anything that breaks up, he's there.

"I know Tavernier was man of the match but Chukwuani has been my standout. I've been really impressed with his all-round game. Getting forward and getting his goal shows he's got something else in his locker."

Callum Davidson, the former Queen’s Park manager, said “Really like the look of Chukwuani, I’ve seen him a few times now. Physically, he’s really strong.”

Rangers dominated the match from start to finish, taking an early lead through Ryan Naderi and quickly extending it with a James Tavernier hat-trick, including a penalty. An own goal by Matthew Shiels made it 5-0 at halftime and after the break, Naderi scored again, Bojan Miovski added a header and Tochi Chukwuani capped the 8-0 rout with his first goal in Rangers colours.

Born in Denmark to Nigerian parents, Chukwuani has already featured for several Danish youth teams but remains eligible to play Nigeria at senior level. However, having played for the Danish U16, U17, U19, U20 and U21 teams, he will have to undergo Fifa switch before he can play for the Super Eagles.