First Patrick Vieira, now Ruud Gullit. If Jack Byrne was looking for some endorsements ahead of what could prove to be a critical season in his career, he's not doing too badly at all. The Man City youngster made the move on loan to SC Cambuur in the Eredivisie recently and despite an ankle injury keeping him out of action for the first couple of weeks of the season, hopes are high that he could make a significant breakthrough.
And Gullit, who was in Dublin yesterday as part of Carlsberg Premier League trophy tour, has his eye on the nineteen year old Dubliner.
He’s a midfielder, Roy Keane-like, a little bit of a tough guy.
We've heard the Keane comparison before from Vieira but Gullit also has the added insight of knowing just what the move to the Eredivisie could bring to Byrne's game.
The development in Holland is good because he will get first team football and it’s more open, very technical and tactical, so it will be a good experience. A lot of players started in Holland.
Gullit did suggest that it would be less than ideal that Byrne will be playing on a plastic pitch during home games but nonetheless 'small club' atmosphere of Cambuur could be exactly what he needs before heading back to Man City. Granted, with shouldn't get carried away with endorsements like this but it will certainly be interesting to see how Byrne develops with some regular Eredivisie appearances.
[The42]
