Ryan Naderi's International Choices: Czech Republic, Bulgaria, or Germany

Ryan Naderi has barely settled into life at Rangers, yet his next big decision may come far away from Ibrox.

According to Bild, the 23-year-old striker is on the brink of a call-up to the Czech national team, with sporting director Pavel Nedved already making contact. The message from Prague is clear: they want him, and they want him soon.

Naderi’s story gives plenty of countries a stake. Born in Dresden to a Czech mother and a Bulgarian father, he has long been on the radar of both associations. Bulgaria are said to have tried to lure him before, but he turned down those advances. The Czech Republic, though, is a different proposition. Reports suggest he is far more open to that route.

Germany still hover in the background. With Jürgen Klopp now in charge of the national team and preparing for his first proper look at the player pool, the clock is ticking. If Klopp sees a potential DFB striker in Naderi, he would need to move quickly before the forward commits elsewhere.

There are hurdles. To play for the Czech Republic, Naderi would first have to secure a Czech passport. Only then could he be registered and cleared for competitive fixtures. At this stage it remains unclear whether that process could be completed in time for the upcoming Nations League games against Croatia, England (twice) and Spain. The Czechs may want him now; bureaucracy might have other ideas.

From Dresden prospect to Rangers record buy

Naderi’s rise has not been explosive, but it has been relentless.

He came through the youth ranks at Dynamo Dresden, a tall, raw centre-forward learning his trade in a club that knows how to develop young talent. At 17, he took a significant step, joining Borussia Mönchengladbach and testing himself in a bigger, more demanding environment.

The breakthrough into senior football finally came in 2024 with Hansa Rostock in the 3. Liga. There, Naderi started to look like a proper No. 9. Across 45 league appearances he scored 13 goals and supplied nine assists, an impressive return for a young striker still adjusting to the physical grind of the professional game.

At 1.94 metres, he fits the mould of a classic centre-forward. He offers a target, occupies centre-backs, and can dominate in the air. But his numbers in Rostock colours showed he is more than just a tall body in the box; he links play, creates chances and draws defenders out of position.

Rangers took notice. Last winter, they moved decisively, paying a 3. Liga record fee of €5.5 million to bring him to Glasgow. That kind of investment brings expectation, and Naderi has responded solidly so far: six goals and six assists in 21 appearances.

His biggest statement yet came on the fiercest stage of all. In last weekend’s Old Firm, Naderi set up one goal in Rangers’ 3-0 win over Celtic and played a key role in the build-up to another. On a day when every touch is scrutinised, he looked at home.

Klopp watching, choices looming

While Naderi weighs his options, the international calendar rolls on.

Germany face the Netherlands, Serbia and Greece (twice) in the upcoming window. Klopp is expected to name an unusually large squad, designed to cast the net wide and test a host of different players. Surprises are anticipated. Doors that were once closed may suddenly open.

That is where Naderi’s situation becomes fascinating. The Czech Republic are pushing. Bulgaria have already tried. Germany, with a new coach and a desire to refresh the squad, cannot ignore a 1.94-metre striker thriving at Rangers for long.

For now, the numbers and the interest tell their own story. The next move, though, is Naderi’s.