Yak feeding on Wembley wish
YAKUBU says he finally feels at home again back in England – and the Reading forward has some unfi nished business.
The Nigerian spent nine goal- laden years plying his trade up and down the country with Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, Leicester and Blackburn before spells in China and Qatar.
“Feed the Yak and he will score,” was a popular fans’ chant. But there is one thing he failed to do – play at Wembley.
Yakubu never gave up hope of a return to English shores and the Royals’ win on Saturday has put them within one round of a semi- fi nal trip to the national stadium.
Yakubu’s late goal knocked out Derby and Steve McClaren, his one- time boss at Middlesbrough.
“There are more glamorous places to live but England is the best place to play football,” said Yakubu, 32, who was signed on a free transfer on deadline day. “I missed it. The atmosphere in England is so good. I always watched games on TV. I was away too long – almost two and a half years.
“I still haven’t played at Wembley. I was injured when Everton got to the 2009 FA Cup fi nal so let’s hope we get there.”
Substitute Yakubu scored with eight minutes left as the Royals made their numerical advantage count .
Stephen Warnock’s first- half dismissal on his debut left Derby with an uphill task but they looked set for a replay when Darren Bent cancelled out Hal Robson- Kanu’s opener.
“Before I went on, Steve McClaren told me, ‘ Don’t go and score,’ said Yakubu.
“It was great to see him again. His team play good football and he is one of the best managers in England. ”