Don Cowie has issued praise for reported Rangers target, Sheyi Ojo, as quoted by the Daily Record.
The Daily Star reports that the 21-year-old is set to sign a long-term contract at Anfield, before joining the Gers on loan.
If it goes through, it will be the fifth loan spell of his career. However, his first ever stint away from Liverpool was at Wigan Athletic, where he turned out alongside now Ross County midfielder, Cowie.
Ojo was just 18 then, but he still did enough to leave a lasting impression.
Glowing recommendation
“It was tough at the time because Wigan were involved in a relegation battle,” said Cowie, as quoted by the Daily Record. “So, it wasn’t an easy time to come in and play but you could see in training and glimpses in games that he had loads of ability.”
“On a day to day basis you could see he was a real talent and despite us being in a perilous position at the time, and playing in pressure games, he always wanted to get on the ball because that’s what he’s all about.
“He’s very tricky, strong and fast. He won’t hide, he wants the ball all the time. But it was tough because there wasn’t an awful lot of football being played in our games at that time so it wasn’t ideal for him. When you’re a Liverpool player at that age and going on loan to a Championship team, it proves there’s an awful lot of ability there.
“He’s similar to Ryan Kent who we’d all agree took a bit of time to settle in but as the season went on he went from strength to strength…if he is a player Rangers sign then he’s definitely one who would get fans off their seats.”
Verdict
It seems a matter of time before a loan move for Ojo is completed.
By all accounts, he’s a highly regarded young talent, which is evidenced by Liverpool’s apparent desire to give him a long-term deal.
Even so, it’s great to get insight from a former teammate like Cowie. He emphasises that Ojo will not shy away when he or the team is under pressure.
That’s a vital quality for any Rangers player.
Especially if the Gers fail to re-sign Ryan Kent, they will need wide men who can take on defenders and create.
Encouragingly, it sounds as though Ojo will be more than prepared to do just that.
