NafisaThe first Old Firm derby of the 2026-27 season is now just days away, with Rangers preparing to welcome Celtic to Ibrox for what promises to be a huge Scottish League Cup quarter-final.
Derek McInnes’ side have endured a strange start to the campaign, but the mood around Ibrox has improved considerably after a difficult opening spell.
Rangers have responded to their early struggles with three consecutive Scottish Premiership victories, giving themselves a much-needed lift ahead of the biggest fixture of the season so far.
There is little doubt that Sunday’s meeting with Celtic carries enormous significance.
The two Glasgow giants will go head-to-head at Ibrox before meeting again at Celtic Park in the league just seven days later, creating a remarkable Old Firm double-header that could have a major impact on the early Premiership title picture.
McInnes will therefore be desperate to have as many of his key players available as possible.
Rangers have already suffered several injury setbacks, with Lawrence Shankland facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring tear, while Youssef Chermiti is also unavailable following his ACL injury.
The pressure on McInnes is only increasing, with the manager needing to find solutions in a squad that has already been tested heavily despite the season still being in its early stages.
But while Rangers prepare for one of their biggest games of the campaign, another story involving a former Ibrox player has quietly emerged away from the pitch.
And it has nothing to do with Sunday’s team selection, injuries or the battle for Old Firm bragging rights.
Instead, it concerns a player who once looked destined for a much bigger career after breaking into the Liverpool first team under Jurgen Klopp.
Ovie Ejaria is now looking for his next club.
Ejaria’s Football Career:
Throughout his managerial career, Klopp has been renowned for giving young players opportunities, and Ejaria was one of the youngsters who benefited from that approach during his time at Liverpool.
The London-born midfielder joined Liverpool’s academy in 2014 after making the move from Arsenal and eventually broke into the first team as an 18-year-old.
His senior debut came in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory over Derby County in September 2016.
Just days after being an unused substitute against Chelsea, Ejaria came off the bench to play the final 12 minutes as Liverpool secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over the Rams.
At that stage, it appeared there could be a bright future ahead of him at Anfield.
Ejaria made eight appearances during the 2016/17 campaign before Liverpool decided that regular first-team football elsewhere would be beneficial to his development.
He subsequently spent time on loan at Sunderland during the 2017/18 season, although the move did not work out as hoped, with the midfielder making only 11 appearances.
A spell with Rangers followed, before another temporary move to Reading gave Ejaria the chance to establish himself in the Championship.
That spell eventually resulted in a permanent transfer, with Ejaria signing a four-year contract with the Royals in 2020.
However, injuries would prove increasingly disruptive to his progress.
Reading released him on a free transfer in 2024, and after spending a year without a club, Ejaria joined Spanish side Real Oviedo in 2025.
His time in Spain was also short-lived.
Despite having another year remaining on his contract, Ejaria departed the club this summer after making just eight appearances.
Ejaria Now Searching For a New Club On LinkedIn:
With the transfer window having already slammed shut earlier this month, the former Rangers midfielder has now taken an unusual route in his search for the next chapter of his career.
Ejaria has turned to LinkedIn to publicly announce that he is a free agent and looking for a new opportunity.
He wrote: “I’m currently a free agent and looking for the right opportunity. Was playing for Real Oviedo in LaLiga last season. Primary Position – Central Midfield (6, 8 & 10). Secondary position – Left winger.
“28 years old, London-based. Played for Liverpool, Sunderland, Rangers, Reading & Real Oviedo
“I’m keeping the details brief for now, but if there’s an opportunity or you know of a club looking for midfielder – (6, 8 & 10) or someone who can play as a left winger, please feel free to DM me.”
Ejaria also accompanied the post with a three-minute highlights video from Real Oviedo’s defeat to Atletico Madrid during the 2025/26 campaign.
It is a remarkable development given how highly Ejaria was regarded during his early Liverpool days.
The midfielder has experience at several notable clubs and is still only 28, meaning there is potentially plenty of football left in his career.
For now, though, his immediate priority is finding the right club.
And with the former Rangers man openly putting himself on the market, it remains to be seen where his next opportunity will come from as Rangers prepare for their own huge weekend against Celtic at Ibrox.
Nafisa
