The full back has become a bit hit with Ibrox punters early in his career in Glasgow
16:30, 17 Feb 2026Updated 19:41, 17 Feb 2026
Tuur Rommens of Rangers
The sample size may be small but the Rangers fans have seen enough of Tuur Rommens to be convinced that the Belgian defender is going to make a big impression at Ibrox under Danny Rohl.
The £3.3million left-back joined Gers from Westerlo and in the space of just three appearances is already being compared by some excited punters to Dutch legend Arthur Numan.
He’ll have to go some to live up to that star billing. But Record Sport has spoken to three men who know him best and all agree the 22-year-old Belgian youth cap is destined for big things in Glasgow – and with the Red Devils.
Koen Daerden – Academy chief at boyhood club Genk
“Tuur first came to us at nine years old. He came from a town called Oud-Turnhout, which was a little bit outside of our normal catchment area, but as we say here, ‘He’s one of us’. He was always a player whose biggest quality was his determination.
“He always gave 200 percent in training sessions and games. When I saw that he went to Rangers, I texted him to say it was a big step for him. Of course it’s a big step up but from everything I know about the club, the culture, what the fans expect from the players, I can say he’s the perfect choice because he will give everything for the shirt.
“I’ve seen how he responds to difficult moments. At one point when he was about 15 years old, he was on the verge of leaving Genk as he hadn’t been offered a contract. We had a little discussion about his future with us as we had decided to give another player in his position a deal. It was nothing against Tuur, just that we saw the other player had a profile closer to what we use in the first team.
Rangers’ Tuur Rommens (Image: SNS Group)
“But we told him, ‘Listen, you can still surprise us’ – and six months later, he did. He worked even harder and showed us his strength and his qualities. For me, Tuur is a great example of a player who might not seem like they have high potential at 15 but who can still make the grade. There are several guys who maybe were more talented than him as a teenager — but those guys we’ll never play for Rangers.”
Gill Swerts – Belgium Under-21 boss
“Tuur had a really good foundation coming through the academy at Genk, which is one of the best youth academies in Belgium. They’ve produced guys like Christian Benteke, Thibaut Courtois, Divock Origi, Timothy Castagne, Leandro Trossard and Kevin De Bruyne – so they know what they are doing.
“When you play for their Under-21 side, you play in the second division in Belgium, which is a good thing for developing players. But when you play for these sides, the dressing rooms only have young players.
“So with Tuur, it was only when he went to Westerlo in 2023 that he actually was involved in a mature group. He learned a lot from that move. His first season had ups and downs. He was already in the national squad with the under-21s, but he didn’t always play. But then the second season in Westerlo, he was a starting player.
“He matured so much within one season. Physically, I think he’s always been strong. But again, playing on the highest level gives you so much more. With his physical data I thought, to be honest, he was going to transfer to a club in Germany.
“But it doesn’t surprise me at all that he’s made the move to Rangers and from what I hear, he’s already loved by the fans. I was actually called by a Belgian scout in Glasgow, Anthony Galinski a while back. He asked me also about Tuur on and off the pitch because I think the personal character of a player is important as well.
“He asked me a few things about Tuur and how I looked at the player. But of course, they’re not only calling me, they’re calling several coaches to ask about him. They’ve clearly built up a file on Tuur and then they made a decision to get him in January, which I think was a good deal for Rangers.
“He’s physically so strong. He has no problems going up and down. We call it making the dirty meters for somebody else. If he doesn’t get the ball, it doesn’t matter. He goes again. And then, of course, his calmness. It’s not like he has to be the star boy. There is no arrogance to him at all. So I understand completely why they love him.
“And I wouldn’t be surprised that sooner or later he will be one of the contenders to challenge Joaquin Seys, the Brugge defender who has just broken into the full national team. Could he make Rudi Garcia’s World Cup squad? Depending on injuries then yes. He has a few competitors in his position.
“But in football, you never know. Playing for Rangers, I think you stand out more for the national team than being a player for Westerlo, with all due respect. It depends on several factors. But as I said before, looking at his physical profile, his technicality, his tactical understanding, he could be one of those players who should aim for a spot with the national team.
“It will be tough. He’s up against Maxim De Cuyper of Brighton and Seys. Sometimes the national team play with wing-backs, and they use Diego Moreira of Strasbourg, who plays more like a winger. Ajax’s Jorthy Mokio can also play left-back too. So Tuur just has to keep playing well in Glasgow. But I do think it’s also positive for Tuur that Nico Raskin is already a Red Devil. Of course the coaches from the first team will be looking at Nicolas, if they see Tuur doing well, maybe he will get his chance.”
Thomas Buffel – ex Rangers star and Belgian FA coach
“I’ve heard some fans have compared Tuur to Arthur Numan. It’s a bit early for that but I’ll be honest, I can see where they are coming from. I didn’t play in the same Rangers team as Arthur but I know him well. We’ve lined up together in a few charity matches together.
“There are similarities in the way he played with the way Tuur does – but the one thing I can say for sure is that the young lad will never be able to match up to Arthur’s moves on the dance floor! But maybe on the pitch, yes. If he continues to show the things he’s done so far, who knows how far he can go?
(Image: SNS Group)
“Arthur was also a brilliant player – and not just because of what he did on the ball. He was also great at doing the things that made the others around him look better and that’s maybe a step Tuur still has to learn – how to put the players in front of you in the correct position.
“Arthur was so experienced in that. Coaching the winger in front of him to be in the right place on and off the ball. Another thing Arthur was also good at was knowing not just what he was capable of, but what he was not capable of. I think that’s very important. And Tuur also has that quality.
“He is not the kind of defender who has the Messi dribbles so he won’t try that – but he can make overlaps or inverted runs and set up an overload. He’s good at linking up with a one-two and his crossing is top. So is his timing. And in football timing is very important. You don’t always have to be the fastest one on the pitch if you can arrive at the right moment at the right spot. That’s the key.
“I first saw Tuur playing for Young Genk. And then from there he made his move to Westerlo. It was then that he was called up for Belgium Under-21s, Belgium and then of course I got the chance to work closer with him. I know it’s been a difficult year for Rangers at times but I think he can handle all that.
“He grew up in Genk, which is a big club in Belgium and the expectations are also to be the best in the league. So that’s also what you take with you when you leave. It’s maybe only youth football, but that demand is still there. OK, in Westerlo the expectations are not so high. But what he learned in the youth academy at Gent and for the national team Belgium, I think he can take this baggage with him to Rangers.
“Tuur is the type of person who will first want to show his qualities on the pitch and then step by step, try to show more influence in the dressing room. That’s a logical step he has to take. If I compare him maybe with someone like Barry Ferguson or Arthur Numan, these players drove the team on not only with their own play, but also by demanding more from other players. But it takes some players time to settle into a dressing room and to make those demands. But I’m sure once Tuur does that, he will quickly win the respect of his team-mates.”