EDMUNDSON DRIVE
Top target George has the desire to succeed at Ibrox and he’s already been a hit in Scotland says pal Croft
GEORGE EDMUNDSON took his first football footsteps at Forthbank but the Rangers target has been backed to march all the way to Wembley.
The Oldham youngster is on Steven Gerrard’s wishlist and is believed to have got the VIP treatment when up in Glasgow last week.
His old Latics team-mate Lee Croft is not surprised to see the defender being courted by clubs on both sides of the border as he’d marked him out as a future England star from day one.
Edmundson was still a 16-year-old when Croft was an Oldham player and then boss Darren Kelly brought them to Scotland on pre-season.
The kid shone under the shade of Stirling Castle and has kicked on since to become the top asset at Boundary Park and a wanted man this summer.
St Johnstone Scottish Cup-winning hero Croft spotted a star on the rise and is convinced Edmundson can crack the Premiership.
He said: “I remember when he first joined up with the Oldham squad. We were up in Scotland on pre-season and the gaffer brought him along.
“He made a big impression and that was him part of the first-team set-up. We played a couple of friendly games against St Mirren and Stirling Albion.
“So he’s already shown he can cut it in Scotland! Although an Old Firm derby might be a bit different to pre-season at Stirling!
“He was a big lad when he broke into the team as a kid but he’s really filled out since and is a big presence.
“I’d say he’s quite an old-fashioned type of centre-half. He’s strong in the air, loves a tackle, but he’s came on a lot on the ball as well.
“He’s still only 21, which is young for centre-backs, so there is a lot of potential there as well.
“To be honest I thought he would have gone sooner as there has been a lot of talk about him for a good while.
“There was talk about Sunderland maybe 18 months ago and it was only a matter of time before he made the BY MICHAEL GANNON up, whether it’s Rangers or anywhere else.
“He’s a big talent so I’m not surprised he’s getting noticed.”
Edmundson was named in the League Two team of the season and Croft reckons the youngster can follow in the footsteps of the last Oldham youth product who went all the way to the big time.
James Tarkowski learned his trade in the English lower-league school of hard knocks before getting his big break at Burnley and earning a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
The defender was on the standby list for the World Cup last year after being capped in the warm-up games against Holland and Italy. And Croft is convinced Edmundson will be the next Latic to make the leap to the Three Lions.
He said: “It took George some time to establish himself and he had a couple of loan moves. But once he got in to the side he never looked back. He’s played a lot of games for someone who’s just 21.
“I’d probably compare him with James Tarkowski, who came through at Oldham and is now a big player for Burnley in the Premier League and gone on to play for England. Like James, George has played a lot of games in the lower divisions and really learned the game in a tough environment.
“He can go all the way like Tarko. I’ve got no doubts whatstep soever he can cut it in Scotland – 100 per cent. I know there are huge demands for players at clubs like Rangers or Celtic, where there are 50-odd thousand watching you every week.
“It can be tough for players – especially young lads – as you are right in the spotlight.
“Rangers are a massive club but I’m sure he could go in to that environment and hold his own. It would be a superb move for him.”
Croft can see Edmundson being a smash hit in Scotland and reckons the Gerrard family factor will help entice the player north. He said: “I’m sure George will know all about it as well. Steven’s cousin Anthony used to play for Oldham so I’m sure he will have used the family connection to get a bit of info on George and vice versa. “Rangers are a big draw right now with Gerrard there. He’s a huge name in England and there’s a lot more interest in Scottish football right now. “People are looking at what’s going on and I’m sure players look at the opportunity to work with Gerrard as a major incentive. “I still keep tabs on St Johnstone and the Scottish game and it looks an exciting time at the moment.”