In a move that seems to make perfect sense, it seems that Aussie wonderkid Garang Kuol is off to Scotland before his talented sought after feet have had a chance to get settled on Tyneside.
There’s no doubt that the 18-year-old comes with a big reputation and there’s even less doubt that Clubs the length and breadth of Britain were queuing up to have on loan – which Dan Ashworth is believed to be overseeing.
However, as ever with young talents in need of nurturing, it’s imperative you find the right one. Scottish outfit Hearts appear to have won the race as Kuol and an entourage – that included our Loan Manager supreme Shola Ameobi – looked around the Jam Tarts’ training ground yesterday.
If, as expected, Kuol signs for the remainder of the season, it’s a move that makes a lot of sense. First off, Hearts have three Australian internationals in their squad who could help him settle in the form of Nathaniel Atkinson, Cammy Devlin and Kye Rowle, who only left Central Coast Mariners last summer. Considering he’s not long turned 18 and has just moved from the other side of the world, having a few familiar faces (and voices!) around him could be a big help.
Indeed, it may well be that the Hearts’ Aussie trio actually had something to do with their Club’s move to obtain Kuol’s signature. It certainly can’t have harmed their chances.
Hearts also sit third in the SPL, behind only Celtic and Rangers. It’s a better standard than the A-League and they have a decent record of developing youngsters, with Brentford star Aaron Hickey getting plenty of game time there as a teenager.
It helps too that Edinburgh is only a 90 minute train journey away from Newcastle, which allows him to travel back and forth if required and for us to visit him easily. Maybe I’m clutching at straws now, but Edinburgh also offers him experience of a metropolitan city and a taste of British weather; two things he may not be used to after growing up in Australia.
So, Aussies to help him settle, similar City to Newcastle, acclimatise to weather and physicality of British football. Plus a Club that should be able to give the player and Eddie Howe a guarantee that he’ll get the playing time he needs to develop.
Looks like a win-win situation all-round and one that’ll be good to follow as the transfer window ramps up. Let’s hope it happens!
I think this is hugely disrespectful to Shola, who is the man who decides, arranges and manages all loans out of the club.
Why don’t spend 10 mins in his company an you’ll soon realise Shola is his own man.
BillyTheFish(Quote)