Former Rangers defender Bert Konterman has told NOS that he helped prevent Michael Beale’s team from signing Tijjani Reijnders.
The midfielder joined AZ Alkmaar’s reserve team in 2017 before making his first team debut a year later. He didn’t make his senior team debut until the 2021/22 season, when he recorded six goals and two assists in 47 games.
Rangers were interested in bringing Reijnders to Ibrox in the summer of 2022 due to his excellent form.
Konterman gave Reijnders his Netherlands U20 debut and also played alongside his father, Martin, during his playing career. The link between the ex-Rangers player and the player’s father was critical in preventing Michael Beale’s side from signing Tijjani a year ago.
“My previous club, the Rangers, wanted him. Martin inquired as to my wisdom. It seemed prudent to me to remain in AZ. The Rangers are a huge club, but he wasn’t ready at Arizona yet, and perhaps bigger clubs will arrive in a year,” he added.
Tijjani’s decision to reject Rangers paid off as he sealed a move to AC Milan this summer, and Konterman is relieved the Netherlands international did not join Ibrox in 2022.
“I also thought he’d fit better in Spanish or Italian football.” That, fortunately, came true. It’s probably a good thing he didn’t go. His perseverance has undoubtedly paid off. “He had a fantastic year at AZ before joining AC Milan,” Konterman remarked.
