Kieran Dowell needed just three appearances for Birmingham City to achieve something he managed only twice in 22 Scottish Premiership games for Rangers—score a goal.
And it was a memorable one. As Birmingham dismantled Cambridge United—highlighting the gulf between League One’s top and bottom—Dowell initiated a slick counter-attack with a clever flick. Six seconds, two passes, and a brilliant Keshi Anderson dummy later, he arrived on the edge of the box to calmly side-foot home his first goal for the Blues.
Unsurprisingly, Dowell described himself as “buzzing” with his start at Birmingham, especially given the circumstances of his January move.
Frozen Out at Rangers, Flourishing at Birmingham
At Rangers, Philippe Clement had sidelined Dowell, preferring 18-year-old Bailey Rice, a decision that could benefit the club long-term due to Rice’s potential. However, Dowell’s impact in England is already turning heads.
Birmingham, already performing well under ex-Celtic assistant Chris Davies, have improved offensively with Dowell in the lineup. The team averages two goals per game when he starts, compared to 1.6 without him. Their biggest win of the season coincided with his first goal since returning to English football.
Davies praised Dowell’s physicality and running power following the Cambridge victory. Speaking ahead of Birmingham’s match against Charlton Athletic, he highlighted how Dowell has added creativity to a team that previously struggled to convert dominance into goals.
“I think we look more confident in the final third. Kieran Dowell has really contributed to that,” Davies noted.
However, it’s not just his attacking ability that has impressed. Dowell has shown a newfound tenacity, averaging 1.3 successful tackles per game in League One—significantly more than the 0.4 he managed in Scotland.
Back Playing 90 Minutes
“He came from Rangers without much game time and has had to adapt quickly,” Davies said after Dowell completed a full 90 minutes in a league match for the first time since December 2023. “His work ethic has stood out the most. He has the creativity, skill, and intelligence we were looking for.”
Dowell isn’t the only Rangers loanee making an impact. Rabbi Matondo recently marked his Hannover debut with a stunning goal, adding much-needed pace and one-on-one ability to a side pushing for Bundesliga promotion. Hannover reportedly has the option to sign Matondo permanently for £1 million.
Birmingham, however, does not have a purchase clause in Dowell’s loan deal. But if he continues to thrive, a permanent move could become a serious consideration for a team sitting seven points clear with a game in hand.
Reflecting on his bright start, Dowell said, “I’m buzzing. It was great to be in the starting lineup quickly, which helped me settle and build relationships on the pitch.
“To be honest, I came here hoping to enjoy my football again. Birmingham is a team that dominates possession and plays positively. The manager told me how dominant they are before I joined, and he was right. It’s been great to be part of that style of play.”
