Jayden Meghoma reckons ‘Glasgow is Rangers’ as he reveals what makes the city different from London
Mohamed Diomande, Oliver Antman and Jayden Meghoma during a Rangers MD-1 training session(Image: SNS Group)
Bullish Jayden Meghoma insists going from being just another face in the crowd in London to Glasgow’s goldfish bowl has been a joy.
Celtic fans may not share his belief that this football-mad city is dominated by those of a Light Blue persuasion, but it is from a viewpoint of the Ibrox bubble the 19-year-old is operating in.
After making a loan move from Brentford in the summer, the England Under-20 star admits he had already braced himself for the pressure and expectations of being thrust into the Old Firm spotlight.
He said: “Most of Glasgow is Rangers, so you know what it’s like. It’s a massive club and when you arrive here, you can really feel it. It is a joy.
“Even compared to London, which is obviously a huge city, you’re almost anonymous down there.
“It doesn’t compare because Glasgow is Rangers, so it’s very different to London. In London, you’ve loads of clubs, so it’s different.
“It’s an expectation. You know what you’re coming to when you come to a big club like this and you have to be prepared for it. That’s the way football is and you have to deal with it.”
The young full-back has also had to cope with a chaotic start to his time in Scotland.
There’s been a quickfire change of manager with Russell Martin being replaced by Danny Rohl.
Even the midweek Europa League draw with Braga became another low point after Gers lost their lead against a Portuguese side, which were reduced to 10 men for a large part of the second half.
Meghoma believes it’s a European learning curve where the bottom line is about putting points on the board.
He said: “For me personally and as a team, we know we have to do better. Braga was another example of a simple mistake.
“We need to learn and get better because there’s still nine Europa points to play for. As a whole, for me, yes, it’s an amazing experience.
“However, as a team, the main focus is winning games – and we simply didn’t do that against Braga. We need to start winning games again. Every game is a different experience, so it’s a learning curve for myself.
Danny Rohl speaks with Jayden Meghoma(Image: PA)
“Europe is different to the league. The league is different to Europe, so I learn every game.”
Falkirk will arrive at Ibrox this afternoon with a belief they can once again prove a fly in the ointment for Rangers.
The Bairns had more than the measure of Gers last month in a 1-1 draw that proved to be the last straw for Rohl’s predecessor Martin.
Meghoma is convinced this clash is an opportunity to show the recent improvements can be sustained.
It can also offer another confidence surge for a support desperate for signs the club are heading in a positive direction by embracing the pressure as they aim to close a five-point gap on second-placed Celtic.
He said: “Absolutely, yes. I think that’s the main thing. You have to embrace these moments. For us, we have to enjoy it.
“It’s football at the end of the day. You have to enjoy winning, enjoy the pressure, because that’s what football’s about. That’s what Rangers do.
“Pressure really does brings out the best in you. When things are going well, it enthuses fans. The mood changes when we win.
“So that’s our main focus – to beat Falkirk and get that mood positive again in the stands.
“It has to be a quick learning process because you’re playing at Rangers. Everything you learn has to be very quick and result in you winning games. That’s the most important thing.
“Everybody will gain experiences from playing, but you have to learn very quickly You never really know what Falkirk will possess.
“They may change formation, you never know, but it always helps when you’ve played them before because you know the players you’re up against. It does help a bit more.
“We’re taking it step by step. There’s still so much there for us to play for. As a team, we will stay positive and just keep going.
“Winning, clean-sheets, just the basics and making sure we dominate teams. That’s the main aim for us.”
Meghoma had a glimpse of the on-field leadership qualities of Jordan Henderson at parent club Brentford.
He’s happy to place Ibrox skipper James Tavernier as another of his most inspirational figures. Meghoma said: “Tav is an imperative figure for us.
“He’s one of the most important players on the pitch for us because he communicates really well and leads the back-line as well.
“Getting information off of him helps a lot. I’d say maybe Henderson also does something like that.
“A senior figure who really takes the team under their feet and commands it.”