Interest in Nicky Law: it depends on McCall
Speculation has mounted in the
past two days concerning Nicky Law. As ibroxnoise.co.uk brought you in January, the Englishman has become a target for a number of English clubs, and that
interest has resurfaced with recent reports citing as many as 10 teams
interested in him.
past two days concerning Nicky Law. As ibroxnoise.co.uk brought you in January, the Englishman has become a target for a number of English clubs, and that
interest has resurfaced with recent reports citing as many as 10 teams
interested in him.
Given the fact his form was far
from impressive prior to January, the fact that at least three or four clubs
were most certainly keeping tabs on him at that point only supports a glut of
others joining them in lieu of his recent free-scoring form and renaissance
under Stuart McCall.
from impressive prior to January, the fact that at least three or four clubs
were most certainly keeping tabs on him at that point only supports a glut of
others joining them in lieu of his recent free-scoring form and renaissance
under Stuart McCall.
However, while my piece yesterday was widely disagreed with regarding the importance of appointing McCall now permanently, which I respect, it nevertheless may well define whether Law
remains or not.
remains or not.
Before McCall took over, most
fans could not have driven the former Motherwell man out of Ibrox quick enough,
but post his appointment, a new Nicky Law has emerged, with a titanic display
against Hearts and the recent brace against Raith.
fans could not have driven the former Motherwell man out of Ibrox quick enough,
but post his appointment, a new Nicky Law has emerged, with a titanic display
against Hearts and the recent brace against Raith.
This is the Law we expected, and
McCall is slowly, but surely, bringing it out of him.
McCall is slowly, but surely, bringing it out of him.
This is why McCall’s future and
Law’s, are inextricably linked. His former Bradford and ‘Well gaffer is the best
manager to make him tick, and if Rangers were to be promoted with McCall
confirmed as next season’s boss, Law would surely have no interest in leaving
SPL Rangers managed by his favourite mentor.
Law’s, are inextricably linked. His former Bradford and ‘Well gaffer is the best
manager to make him tick, and if Rangers were to be promoted with McCall
confirmed as next season’s boss, Law would surely have no interest in leaving
SPL Rangers managed by his favourite mentor.
I am far from advocating Law as
the best player in the team, although on his day he is indeed very impressive,
but under McCall he is an increasingly important piece of the jigsaw and if
Rangers have aspirations of keeping him, and fending off the wolves, appointing
McCall is key.
the best player in the team, although on his day he is indeed very impressive,
but under McCall he is an increasingly important piece of the jigsaw and if
Rangers have aspirations of keeping him, and fending off the wolves, appointing
McCall is key.
Maybe Rangers fans do not see Law
as an important enough part of the puzzle to warrant concern over his
departure, and would be quite happy with the reported pricetag of £500,000 for
his signature, but it is nevertheless the case that he canvassed for McCall as
manager, and is far more likely to stay if McCall does.
as an important enough part of the puzzle to warrant concern over his
departure, and would be quite happy with the reported pricetag of £500,000 for
his signature, but it is nevertheless the case that he canvassed for McCall as
manager, and is far more likely to stay if McCall does.
Whether fans want either, or
both, is a matter of debate.
both, is a matter of debate.
As for what McCall himself makes
of the recent speculation:
of the recent speculation:
“All you need is an agent to know one person
at a newspaper to put a story on the back page. One newspaper has run that 10
clubs (are interested in Law for) £500,000. I think you take that with a pinch
of salt. He’s capable, left foot, right foot, technically, he’s very good. If
he’s playing at the top of his game, he can play at the highest level. But he’s
not only a good player, he’s got a good agent.”
at a newspaper to put a story on the back page. One newspaper has run that 10
clubs (are interested in Law for) £500,000. I think you take that with a pinch
of salt. He’s capable, left foot, right foot, technically, he’s very good. If
he’s playing at the top of his game, he can play at the highest level. But he’s
not only a good player, he’s got a good agent.”
That final sentence is more than
cynical, and implies the interest is completely manufactured. Well, he knows it
is not, and is desperately trying to dismiss the story as a complete nonsense
to avoid a bidding war. It is as clear a ‘not for sale’ comment as you will
see, which clearly shows what McCall feels about losing Law.
cynical, and implies the interest is completely manufactured. Well, he knows it
is not, and is desperately trying to dismiss the story as a complete nonsense
to avoid a bidding war. It is as clear a ‘not for sale’ comment as you will
see, which clearly shows what McCall feels about losing Law.
Whether fans agree is another
matter.
matter.