Once the future of Rangers, currently the present of the Premier League.
Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck continues to go from strength to strength down south and it is his brilliance in midfield which is helping to inspire the Blades in an English footballing fairy tale.
Newly promoted, cruiserweights United have been out-boxing and out-punching some of the league’s biggest heavyweights all season and Fleck is very often the one supplying the uppercut.
Against Arsenal the former Ibrox kid scored a superb equaliser to earn United a well-deserved point, admittedly against the league’s biggest bottle merchants in now Mikel Arteta led Arsenal.
An intelligently stunning finish, Fleck hammers the ball down into the ground for the bounce to evade Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno.
It was a neat enough move from United and one Fleck will take great pleasure in helping to finish off.
That means the player, who was once namechecked alongside Wayne Rooney and given the title of Rangers’ great hope at the turn of last decade, has five Premier League goals from midfield this season.
The others came against Burnley, Manchester United and a double to down fellow Premier League newboys Aston Villa.
He’s one of the central forces of this Sheffield United side’s sweeping style, the lynchpin and dynamo of the team and he doesn’t look at all out of place against some of the best midfielders in world football.
Could Fleck help lead Sheffield United into Europe?
Now 28, Fleck’s outstanding form for the 7th placed Premier League side has earned him his first caps for Scotland in October and November last year.
It could also inspire Sheffield United to a much unexpected European finish after promotion from the second tier.
Leaving Rangers in 2012, Fleck’s Ibrox career was one undoubtedly tinged with sadness and a feeling he never quite reached the potential that had been, somewhat cruelly, built up by the press.
But after very much finding a home at Bramall Lane in the Premier League, is arguably the most-hyped talent to come out the then Murray Park finally reaching his potential?
It certainly looks like it.
