Birmingham City supporters were left enraged following the clubs astonishing dismissal of Gary Rowett, yet they make take some solace in the fact that their youth team are showing promise. While, one player in particular has caught the eye of the Blues faithful - Irish underage international, Ronan Hale, who scored to secure his sides progression to the next round of the FA Youth Cup.
The ball is hoofed up to the centre of the park from a kick out before a midfielder knocks it down to Hale who allows the ball to bounce twice before unleashing a shot from over 30 yards out, looping over the opposition goalkeeper. And just like that, with three touches, Birmingham were 2-0 up. It was Jack Charlton football at it's finest.
Hale later added another to his tally with a tap-in upon capitalising upon a defensive error.
?Day Fifteen ?@ronanhale9 treated us to this festive cracker in the #FAYouthCup last night. #BCFCADVENT pic.twitter.com/JnxGe97G56
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) December 15, 2016
Ronan Hale spoke to Birmingham City about their 4-1 victory against Oldham and their opponents in the next round, FA Youth Cup holders, Chelsea;
We're buzzing. We're just looking forward to the challenge against Chelsea.
I just seen the ball coming over, had a look up and just said 'wallop' and just hit it.
Hopefully I break the first team and keep getting call ups for my country [in the future].
There is a lot of positives to take from the performance from Ronan Hale as he returns to fitness following an injury he picked up while playing for the under-23s. The Belfast-born teenager is only a few months into a four-year contract while his elder brother, Rory, is playing across the city for rivals, Aston Villa.
For followers of Irish football, it may come as no surprise that they are showing promise as they are grandchildren of Danny Hale - a legend at Crusaders having bagged over 140 goals in just four seasons during his time at the club.
