After all the speculation at the end of last week and over the weekend, it’s now been confirmed that on loan Liverpool youngster Ovie Ejaria as quit Rangers and will now head back to Liverpool with his tail between his legs.
The 21-year-old has clear talent and he did impress many in the Rangers fanbase following his summer arrival from manager Steven Gerrard’s former club Liverpool, but he also had his critics who didn’t feel he was up to the physical nature of the Scottish game and that simply put, he went missing on too many occasions.
23 starting appearances, five substitute showings and a return of two goals isn’t much to shout home about in reality and having thrown his toys out the pram last week, even those supporting him may well change their mind and question his attitude and mental strength.
It has to go down as another failed loan spell for the lad and although it’s being explained as he grew ‘unsettled’ in Glasgow, the more cynical will be thinking he’s swallowed his own hype.
On Friday, ahead of the weekend’s clash with Hamilton and after missing the Rapid Vienna game, Gerrard held talks with him and he told Sky Sports.
“Look he’s a Liverpool player so I first and foremost have to respect the kid and the privacy. Am I disappointed he’s gone? Yes. Do I think it’s the right decision? No, because I think he had an incredible opportunity here. But I’m never going to stand in a player’s way who is not happy and who is not settled because I have people who are desperate to wear the shirt and who would run through brick walls to wear it. It is what it is. I have to accept the decision. I’m sad about it, I wish him all the best. He’s a nice kid, very quiet. He told me it was 100 per cent football reasons and I have to respect that.”
On the flip side, fellow loanee Ryan Kent came in for good praise in the interview as well and when you factor in the comment about running through ‘brick walls’ to wear the shirt, that speaks volumes to me.