NATHANIEL Oduwa is flavour of the day this Monday morning as far as the MSM is concerned; with more than a few column inches being taken up by comment on his "showboating" during the RTA's 5-1 defeat of Alloa Athletic yesterday.
That his outrageous flick over the unfortunate Alloa defender should be the cause of such a minor stooshie simply shows the paucity of opinion-forming in today's media. OK, the move was cheeky in the extreme. However, it did demonstrate the young man from Spurs, currently on-loan to the RTA has a guid conceit o' himsel' and no lack of belief in his own ability.
But, the fact is - he didn't quite pull it off, inasmuch as he didn't get away from his marker and go on to set-up a goal-scoring chance for his team. This sort of play may well be a piss-take; it might be perceived as demeaning and showing a lack of regard for his opponents. It might equally be seen as an example of an outrageous talent - but, it didn't totally come off, and as such, more work is clearly required.
This Old Fart wonders what might have become of him in the old days of square-rigged, Clyde-built Scottish full-backs, with legs like those on a full-sized billiard table, two-day's growth, halitosis and perhaps a centre parting.
Such creatures would occasionally allow a winger to get past them; equally rarely they would let the ball get past them; but, only once in a blue moon did man and ball get beyond them together. In such cases, the winger, particularly if he was a callow youth would be told in no uncertain terms: if he wanted to walk out of the ground at the end of the game - he should cease such outrageous behaviour forthwith.
It was the ability to accept such threats and continue to show-off their skills which separated the likes of Willie Henderson, Jimmy Johnstone and Davie Cooper from the rest. Master Oduwa would do well to learn, it is against the performances and entertainment produced by the likes of Wee Willie, Coop, Brian Laudrup, Davie Wilson and Bud Johnston that his term - however long it lasts - at Ibrox will be judged.
He made a good start on Saturday, during his late in the game cameo, but, he has to show more.
ODUWA'S cameo has taken some of the focus away from Celtic gazumping the RTA to take Scott Allan to Celtic Park, from under the noses of the RTA. This wasn't quite a Mo Johnson II moment, but, it gave the Celtic family something to smile about.
By the way, Master Allan, as a "self-confessed Rangers fan" is not the first Celtic player to merit that description. I personally know a couple of Ra Peepul, who wore the hoops with pride and distinction. These guys are professional, watching Rangers, or even the RTA, may be fun, but, playing for Celtic pays the wages - which comes first.
I honestly thought the Ibrox club would get their man, but, I am still judging by the standards of "real Rangers". Clearly these do not apply for the Rangers Tribute Act. We should also applaud the determination of Leeanne Dempster, NOT to sell a prime asset to her club's biggest rivals in the Championship.
Given selling to the RTA would, regardless of the compensation, have hurt Hibs this season far more than selling him to Celtic would, the decision to turn down the RTA's offer, but accept Celtic's was a no-brainer.
No comments:
Post a Comment