The Oval is just where I need to be: Bigirimana
Burundi ace relishing life in NI and insists it’s part of God’s plan for him
HE’S a long way from home, but feeling right at home.
There have been several stopoffs on Gael Bigirimana’s intriguing career journey from Burundi to Belfast. Along the way, he’s ticked several boxes that would be on most footballers’ to-do list.
A £1m teenager when he signed a five-year deal at Newcastle United in 2012, it’s only four years ago that the now 27-year-old scored at Wembley as he helped Coventry City to win the EFL Trophy.
As a committed Christian, Bigirimana’s faith says that Glentoran was chosen for him rather than him choosing to move to The Oval and, after bringing his wife and young family to east Belfast, he now just wants to enjoy life on and off the pitch.
After playing a part in the Glens’ run of five wins in a row — two of them against bitter rivals Linfield — life doesn’t get much better. All Bigirimana wants to do now is nail down a regular starting place in Mick Mcdermott’s team as they push themselves into a Danske Bank Premiership title race that is getting tighter.
“Everybody is playing for their position and competition is good when it’s directed in the right way,” said Bigirimana, who will hope to get the nod for tonight’s clash with Carrick Rangers.
“The only thing that I have to do is continue to look at myself and try to be the best that I can be on the training pitch, and then whatever happens, if I start or if I don’t start, I know my career is in God’s hands so I don’t fear.
“I am at peace and know that if I start or don’t start that it is God’s will. It gives you peace.
“The competition is great for Glentoran and it’s a good problem for the staff. Whether a player goes out and doesn’t play for four games, you never know. When your time comes you might end up playing the last four games of the season that could decide the league.”
The way things are going this season, that is exactly how things might pan out.
But how did the kid who came to Coventry as an 11-year-old refugee and played for Newcastle in the Premier League and Europa League, as well as spells in Scotland with Rangers, Motherwell and Hibernian, end up in Northern Ireland just two years after playing for Burundi in the African Cup of Nations?
“I was without a club for a year and when Covid hit it made things difficult, especially in England with the financial situation at clubs,” said Bigirimana.
“I wanted to go somewhere I could start playing, have joy and just play football for what it is and try to better myself as a husband and a dad.
“I have a good relationship with Stephen Robinson from when we were at Motherwell, and he managed to speak to some clubs for me and Glentoran were the ones to reach out. It’s a fresh start and in my heart I just believe this is where my Lord, my God, wants me to be. I am looking forward to what the future brings while I am here.”
His immediate future includes two African Cup of Nations qualifiers later this month.
There is much more on his
agenda and Bigirimana hopes to immerse himself more in the culture of Northern Ireland and the Irish League, with restrictions so far denying him the opportunity.
“My family is here with me. We are becoming fond of the place even though with the lockdown there isn’t much to do. So far we are grateful and can’t complain,” he said. “I’ve been in Newcastle and Scotland — it’s colder there. I can’t wait, God willing, when everything settles down and things open, especially in the summer, I can imagine that it’s a beautiful place to be.
“I just hope that very soon the fans are allowed in and I get to experience what it is like.”
Scottish Premiership
STEVEN Davis is looking forward to Rangers reaping the rewards of their new-found patience.
Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side were made to fight all the way to the 87th minute to grab the breakthrough at Livingston on Wednesday night.
Alfredo Morelos’ late winner sealed a 1-0 triumph that moved the champions-elect to within four points of the title.
Gers could be crowned champions as soon as Sunday if they can topple St Mirren tomorrow and Celtic slip up 24 hours later. Otherwise, the Old Firm derby clash at Parkhead on March 21 will be circled in the Light Blues’ diary as title D-day.
Having been made to wait 10 years to get their hands back on Scotland’s biggest prize, Rangers have realised they cannot rush success. And Davis reckons that patience has been the key component to this season’s impending triumph.
He said: “That has been a huge positive for us this year. I think that comes with the confidence of getting results by doing it that way.
“We have certainly learned from the past and believe in our quality and we have to just continue to show that (patience) and even in games where there are spells where it is difficult, we just keep believing, keep doing the right things and more times than not we have found the answers this season.
“You know what you are going to get every time you come to Livingston. You are going to have to compete first and foremost and try to win the battles, and I thought we stood up to that challenge really well and it was just a matter of being patient and trying to do the right things.
“Luckily, Alfredo got the winner for us in the end.”
Morelos has taken his time to get going this season but the Colombian now has seven goals in his last 10 appearances after firing home the late clincher at the Tony Macaroni Arena.
Boss Gerrard was dismissed at half-time after marching onto Livi’s plastic pitch to confront referee John Beaton, who had booked Morelos for a dive despite him being clearly tripped by Lions keeper Max Stryjek.
But Northern Ireland skipper Davis praised the striker for keeping his cool.
He said: “He caused their centre-halves a lot of problems and everyone knows it was a penalty in the first half so for that to go against him, and for him to keep his nerve and keep doing the right things, I am delighted for him to get the winner at the end.”
Gers kept their 29th clean sheet from 44 matches this season and Davis hailed that record, saying: “That has been a big bonus for us.
“We knew Livingston were going to play direct at times and were going to ask questions of us. I thought we stood up to that challenge really well, so I am delighted with the defensive display and another clean sheet and three points. We move onto the next game now.”
Rangers have lodged an appeal against Beaton’s controversial decision to book Morelos for diving.
The 14-goal frontman will seek to have the caution wiped out after launching a challenge with the Scottish Football Association.
His case will be dealt with by a fast-track disciplinary panel today.
The first-half flashpoint sparked a furious response from Gerrard on the touchline, the former Liverpool skipper having to watch the second period from the main stand after marching onto the pitch to confront referee Beaton at half-time.
Gerrard’s four-letter rant at the official saw him shout: “You’re bang out of order.”
Beaton responded by flashing two quick-fire yellow cards, which was then followed by a red, at the Gers manager.
Gerrard will have to wait to learn what punishment he will face for his spectacular outburst.
The matter does not fall under the SFA’S fast-track procedures, meaning there is no set deadline.
However, it took Hampden disciplinary chiefs almost a month to take action against Hearts boss Robbie Neilson after he also fell foul of Beaton during a 3-2 defeat to Raith in January.
If the SFA follow a similar timeframe, Gerrard will be free to take his place in the dugout at Parkhead on March 21.
THE greatest player in Liverpool’s history turned 70 yesterday. Legends do not age. They grow in stature every day. The first time I saw Dalglish in a red shirt was in August 1977 at Ayresome Park. Middlesbrough was a rough place. Away fans definitely needed the police escort from the station to the ground. The atmosphere was hostile.
Among travelling fans, the mood was nervous but not because of the threat of trouble. Liverpool had just won the European Cup but Kevin Keegan, the club’s talisman, had departed for Hamburg. Dalglish was his replacement in the No.7 shirt after being signed from Celtic. Could he fill the gap left by Keegan?
Within the first seven minutes we knew. Dalglish curled a magnificent shot from near the byline into the far corner of the net. It was an act of sublime skill that set the tone for a wonderful career. Even the 16-year-old me could see he was an upgrade on Keegan. Some people have an aura. They are special. Dalglish is one of those rare individuals. He never needed to be a braggart; he never swaggered. Whatever it was, he had ‘it.’ And still has. His charisma is undeniable.
The early 1980s was a time when Anfield was ruled by a Scottish triumvirate: Dalglish, Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen. The club was populated by strong characters. They all deferred to the King and still do.
He was promoted to manager in the wake of Heysel. His first duty as Liverpool boss was to lay a wreath for the dead of Brussels. It was a horrible start to a new phase in his life. Worse was to follow.
In his first year in the dugout he won the Double, a rare achievement at the time, and helped lift the mood of the domestic game after it had hit a nadir. Some forget how good he was as a manager. He has won more titles than Arsene Wenger — with two different clubs.
Hillsborough almost broke him. In the weeks after the disaster that killed 96 Liverpool fans at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, he attended every funeral possible and, where there were conflicts, visited the other families.
The full extent of what he endured supporting the grief-stricken relatives is only appreciated by those who were there. They understand the personal toll it took on him.
The myth still persists that he folded under the pressure of managing Liverpool in 1991 and resigned. As if results and defeats could disturb a man like Dalglish.
Winning the title with Blackburn Rovers was one of the great feats in Premier League history. More than a quarter of a century on, it is clear that Blackburn’s financial advantage was marginal compared to what was to follow. He took the club from the second tier of English football to its summit. It does not bear comparison with what happened at Chelsea or Manchester City.
There were other jobs but, in truth, he only really cared about Anfield. The continued involvement in the battle for justice over Hillsborough went under the public’s radar. For the best part of two decades, few outside Merseyside cared. Dalglish did.
He is an awkward customer at times. His sense of humour is very dry and can be mistaken for surliness. Only a rare circle are trusted by the King.
Upset him and you are in trouble. Some of us have had the hairdryer treatment from him. Once, in a surreal situation in a Mayfair wine bar, he signed autographs while berating me. If you disagree with him, you better be right — and never rub it in afterwards.
Fenway Sports Group took a while to understand what he meant to the club. When it was explained to John W Henry — after Dalglish’s second spell in charge had ended — the American owner went to great lengths to achieve a reconciliation. During the period Dalglish was estranged and absent from Anfield, there was a huge hole at the centre of Liverpool FC.
Dalglish is the greatest living figure in the club’s history. Only Bill Shankly ranks above him in the pantheon of greats. Even that is open to dispute. Shankly resurrected a dormant Anfield and is the grandfather of the modern team.
The burdens on Dalglish were greater. He played for, and managed, the best club in Europe, but he had to endure two of the ugliest tragedies in English football’s history — this after being a witness to the Ibrox disaster in 1971.
It takes a giant of a man to emerge unbowed. In addition to his football genius, he is an indomitable leader with the strength and charisma needed in crises that stretch well beyond football. And he could play. In my opinion, he is the greatest footballer in British history. Others — George Best is the obvious example — had more ability but no one else had the combination of skill, intelligence, fortitude and robustness. His vision and generosity on the pitch made every one of his team-mates better.
Many happy returns, Kenny. Those of us who saw you feel lucky to this day.
(© The Independent)