TON OF A KIND
Brendan hails ‘hungry’ Vardy
JAMIE VARDY is within a whisker of showing just why he is Leicester’s Fantastic Mr Fox.
Vardy goes into today’s home game with Norwich just four short of joining the Premier League’s 100 Club.
Not bad for a player who did not kick a ball in the top flight until five years ago and was playing non-League football two years before that.
A month short of his 33rd birthday, Vardy has scored 16 this season and boss Brendan Rodgers (with Vardy, right)
says he does not see the slightest sign his powers are on the wane.
He said: “What I love about him is his hunger. When he reaches that century that will continue, don’t worry about that. It’s just the way he is.
“He never lets up in any game. With him joining the game so late, to get to 100 is a wonderful achievement.”
Vardy has scored in his last eight games, notching 11 in the process.
Rodgers added: “I love working with younger players but in my last three jobs, Steven Gerrard was 32, Scott Brown was 32 at Celtic and everyone said his legs had gone but he was amazing for me.
“Jamie has developed. I’m sure that when he hit 50 the thought of getting another 50 probably seemed far off. I would be so happy when he reaches it and there’s no doubt that he will.
“He’s phenomenal. He’s a humble guy – he just likes scoring and is such a natural.
“When he’s off on a run on goal, there’s no doubt in your mind that he’ll finish it off. He just has that inherent belief.
“His confidence transmits to you because he has such a variety of finishes in his bag. His array of ways to finish off chances is remarkable.”
It all adds up to potential bad news for Norwich, who have the most generous defence in the top flight apart from Southampton. And the Saints only pip them on that front because Leicester thumped them 9-0, which included Vardy hitting a hat-trick.
It is that kind of form which sees Rodgers’ men sitting in second spot and looking odds-on to clinch a Champions League spot at the very least.
They still face a major task trying to overhaul Liverpool at the top and former Kop boss Rodgers says he is staying calm despite all the mounting excitement.
Rodgers added: “Relaxed? Yes, very. Sometimes when you are outside looking in there’s all the hype and discussion, but that’s what the game is all about.
“As the manager you have a job to just keep calm and see where it takes you.”