NATHAN ODUWA was last night accused of disrespecting Alloa’s players after showboating during the closing stages of the Ibrox side’s 5-1 Championship win at the Indodrill Stadium.
The 19-year-old England youth international, who made his debut on loan from Tottenham Hotspur from the bench during the match, livened the dying minutes of this one-sided encounter with a series of tricks and flicks – but one of his victims, Alloa full back Colin Hamilton, said he felt that playing to the galleries like that had broken one of the unwritten laws of football.
“I felt as if he was trying to take the p***,” said Hamilton. “What was there, a minute to go? Was there really any need for it? I can’t tell any player how to play or not play, it’s his decision.
“But he’s come up here and he’s trying to show off, trying to make a name for himself,” he added. “I didn’t even get the chance to speak to him after the game as he just walked off but I’m sure there are other centre backs and left backs in the league that if he does try that against them, they maybe won’t let him away with it the same way.”
It is worth pointing out that there is nothing in the laws against playing hard and entertaining football until the final whistle regardless of the scoreline. While Mark Warburton admitted Oduwa had come north of the border to learn, he insisted this was only a young player determined to impress. Danny Lennon, the Alloa manager, was another who sought to downplay the controversy.
“There’s no lack of respect intended by any of the players, absolutely not,” said Warburton. “He’s just enjoying his football. We’ll have a quiet word about that but he’s a very respectful young guy. And I’ve no doubt he’ll make a right impression this season – for all the right reasons. We’ll get another young guy in next week – a loan deal, as well – and then we’ll be in good shape.”
Speaking for the first time since Scott Allan’s decision to choose Celtic ahead of Rangers, Warburton spoke of his delight about his side’s performance and admitted he still hopes to add one more player, on loan, to his squad this week ahead of a meeting with Hibs at Ibrox next Sunday which could see them establish a six-point early season lead.
The real star turn on the day was right back James Tavernier, who was on the scoresheet along with Jason Holt, Martyn Waghorn and a double from Kenny Miller. Lee Wallace was confirmed pre-match as the new Ibrox club captain.
Tavernier, who might have had a hat-trick had Miller not effectively stolen one of his goals, then been responsible for seeing another ruled offside, played down the showboating row, saying it merely demonstrated this Rangers side will continue trying to score until the death.
"I should have had a hat-trick, but I am happy for Kenny to get two goals,” he said. “I'll take two assists for Kenny. I was calling him [Oduwa] Jay-Jay Okacha before inside – it's football and some footballers have a lot of flair. If he feels confident doing the trick and pulls it off then I am not going to complain.”
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