Amad Diallo and Eriksen shine in friendly draw

Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner
  • Updated: 22 Feb 2022 09:47 GMT
  • 5 min read
Amad Diallo, Rangers, 2021/22
© ProShots

Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen turned in eye-catching performances as Rangers and Brentford shared a 2-2 draw in a friendly encounter on Monday.

Amad joined the Gers on loan from Manchester United late in the January transfer window, while Eriksen arrived at the Bees as a free agent after being released from his Inter contract because of a heart problem.

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Diallo has not hit the ground running with Rangers and has been relegated to the bench in recent weeks, while Eriksen is still building his match fitness after suffering a cardiac arrest while playing with Denmark against Finland at Euro 2020. The former Tottenham star, however, has shown encouraging signs in the previous friendly he played.

Those continued on Monday as he delivered two assists in a draw, which was played out between fringe players from both clubs.

Eriksen created Brentford’s opener from a corner then laid on the equaliser from a free kick.

In between times, Man Utd wonderkid Amad took centre stage for Rangers. He grabbed the Glasgow side’s first with a sharp piece of play on the right flank, which saw him cut inside and drill into the net. A second followed when he was sharpest to react to a penalty that was saved.

It was an encouraging display from the teenager, who has been reduced to a bit-part role by Giovanni van Bronkhorst in recent matches.

When will Eriksen make Brentford debut?

Christian Eriksen
© ProShots - Christian Eriksen

Meanwhile, Brentford are lining Eriksen up for his full debut against Newcastle at the weekend.

“He’s been out for seven months, normally you need a proper pre-season to get it going,” manager Thomas Frank explained.

“He came to us with a good foundation, so he doesn’t need six weeks.

“We are aiming for the Newcastle game, that’s the aim.”

Rangers and Amad, meanwhile, are back in action as early as Thursday, when they host Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League after a shock 4-2 win in Germany.

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