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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has singled out loan winger Sheyi Ojo for praise after he scored on his competitive debut for the club on Tuesday, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
What’s he said?
Rangers’ first game of the 2019/20 season is done and dusted, giving fans the first glimpse of a side they will hope challenges for trophies over the next 12 months.
Ojo was one of four players to make their debut against St Joseph’s in UEFA Europa League qualifying, making a bigger impact than the others by netting his first goal for the club with a classy far post finish from inside the box after winning possession from the opposition.
Gerrard was delighted with the player’s performance but wants him to show a “ruthless” edge that can deliver big numbers for the team.
The fans in the video below had some very strong words for Michel Platini who was detained over alleged corruption this week…
As quoted by The Scottish Sun, the Gers boss said:
“Listen, Sheyi has got all the attributes and if this doesn’t work it will be because of Sheyi. He has got everything in the locker, he is quick, he is strong, he is powerful, he takes on information.
“From a manager’s point of view, you know he is going to take on the tactical information, you see him chasing back and making fouls and getting yellow cards.
“He knows that he needs to make this work. He is delighted to be here, he has settled in well and the fans are having him. Now he has got to build on that. Towards the end, I could see him coming down slightly.
“I want him to be ruthless from start to finish and he will get the numbers that he wants and that will satisfy everyone.”
Improved contribution needed
Ojo’s most productive senior spell to date came back in 2015/16 when he scored three and assisted four in 19 appearances across half-a-season at Wolves.
Since then he’s struggled to produce the kind of direct goal contribution on loan that would make him a stand-out and see him push towards more regular starts at Liverpool.
Clearly though from his comments Gerrard is not going to settle for a sub-par loan spell and is looking for a career highlight season from the summer signing.
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Competition is fierce on the flanks this term with Jordan Jones, Jake Hastie, Daniel Candeias, Greg Stewart and Ojo all vying for appearances in the first-team.
Ojo’s debut on Tuesday was a fantastic way to kick-off the season, now it’s up to him to find the consistency required to be considered a success at Ibrox and make himself a guaranteed starter.