Patience is a virtue and exciting Reds winger Iain Ramsay is proving a prime example to of it.
Patience is a virtue and exciting Reds winger Iain Ramsay is proving a prime example to of it.
In a Reds squad choc full of talent and attacking options, Ramsay knew that his second full season in the Hyundai A-League would be a serious challenge to become a regular in the starting eleven.
Cameos off the bench in United-s first two games was followed by a start against his former club Sydney FC and then a 49 minute stint as a substitute in the Reds- los to the Roar.
Ramsay-s energy, pace and skills down the left hand side were seen to be a valuable asset as an impact player off the bench and even landed him the nickname ‘the spark-, but when he was presented with the chance to start against Melbourne Heart, he grasped the opportunity with both hands and has not let go.
The 23 year old has been one of the shining lights in United-s last two games and was a key instigator in the Reds- win over Gold Coast United last Friday night, providing the assist for United-s first goal before scoring the winner.
Ramsay-s ability to assess the situation, cut back inside and provide a clinical finish off his non favoured right foot for the winner was a sign of a player confident in himself and a belief that he can mix it with the best in the Hyundai A-League.
While every player wants to be in the starting line up, Ramsay has been quietly going about his business trying to improve through putting in hard work on the training track in order to take his game to another level, and the results are starting to be seen on game day.
“This is my second full year in the A-League so I-m trying to stamp my authority in this team and hopefully get into the starting eleven more often,” Ramsay said at the Reds- recovery session.
“I-m happy with the way I-m going and hopefully I can keep my performances to the highest level possible.”
“Once you-re on the park you-ve got to try and show what you can do and have the courage to do so.”
“Individually obviously it means a lot to score the winning goal but it doesn-t really matter who scores as long as we win and last night we needed it.”
Without a win in their previous three games leading into the clash with Gold Coast, Ramsay admitted the weight of expectation had been building on the playing group despite the season only being six games in.
“I think the boys are a bit relieved. We-ve needed a win in the past few weeks and hopefully we get a bit of confidence from this win, a bit of consistency,” Ramsay said.
“With this group of players there has been a lot of pressure on us because Rini (Coolen) has brought a lot of quality into this squad and so far we haven-t been performing to the best of our ability, but from last night I think we can build from it.”
Whether Ramsay and the Reds can build on it will be seen when United head to Auckland to face the Wellington Phoenix at Eden Park on Saturday.
