PARIS MATCH
Cummings signed deal after date with Lennon and his famous chums
PARIS is often a destination for those on the brink of separation to try to breathe fresh life into their relationship. Rarely, though, can the party contemplating a parting of ways have been so delighted to learn the other had also invited his mates along for the evening.
That’s the situation hibernian striker Jason Cummings faced when he flew to the French capital during euro 2016 for crunch talks on his future with new easter Road manager Neil Lennon.
Waiting in the bar were none other than Lennon’s fellow BBC pundits Alan Shearer, Rio Ferdinand and Dean Saunders, plus presenter Dan Walker.
In the past, Cummings has declared he had ‘a left foot that could open a tin of beans’. But after missing a dinked penalty in last season’s Scottish Cup semifinal against Dundee United, he said he had only tried that effort because his hairstyle was similar that day to Andrea Pirlo’s.
Cummings also once claimed backing him to score against Rangers was akin to ‘printing money’. Words have come as freely as his goals.
On this occasion, however, the irrepressible 21-year-old was stunned into rare silence. The meeting had the desired effect, though, as, afterwards, he quickly pledged his future to the easter Road club until 2020.
‘Neil Lennon is the main reason I signed. I got on with him straight away,’ said Cummings yesterday.
‘I met him in Paris and he said he knew a quiet wee place for lunch. But when I walked in, I looked over and thought: “I know that face”. It was the boy Dan Walker, who does Football Focus. Then there was Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer. They’d obviously gone out for a wee meeting after one of the games.
‘I was like: “What am I doing here, man?”. It was surreal. I was a bit star-struck. I don’t think they knew who I was. It was probably the quietest I’ve ever been.
‘We were talking about football and about the euros and they were telling me he (Lennon) is a good gaffer.
‘There was a lot of banter, as well. They were top players, but they’re normal geezers, too. It was decent. It’s a story for my autobiography.
‘I had been swaying a bit on my future and when I went over to France, if I’m being honest, there were pros and cons (in staying).
‘But, meeting the gaffer, and having a one-onone chat sealed the deal. I’m glad I signed.’
even though Ferdinand was in attendance, unfortunately for Cummings his favourite Old Trafford idol was not.
Growing up in edinburgh, the young forward idolised Ruud van Nistelrooy and claims he had a childhood nickname that derived from the Dutch goal machine.
‘I used to get called Ruud van Cummings back in the day,’ he grinned. ‘I like Man United and I liked David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy. I had a poster of Van Nistelrooy on my bedroom wall.
‘I think I just liked his name. My old coach at hearts, Scott Bonar — he still takes the young lads at Leith — called me Ruud van Cummings.
‘Ruud van Cummings might stick, eh? hopefully it does.’
After their meeting in europe’s most romantic city, Cummings has since found himself subjected to some tough love from Lennon.
But the hibs boss always being on the striker’s case has led to him scoring seven goals in his first five league games. Yesterday, he was named Championship Player of the Month, while Lennon won the managers’ award.
‘The manager keeps getting on my back to keep me on my toes,’ continued Cummings.
‘If there was nobody shouting at me, I would muck about and do my own thing. So if someone is on my back, it keeps me in check.
‘I don’t really go into my shell if someone shouts at me. But if I miss a big chance, I try to stay away from the dugout. The gaffer gives a lot of good advice.
‘This is the best start I’ve ever had to a season and it’s a credit to all the boys.
‘I’ve got the easy bit scoring the goals and getting the awards and the headlines. The boys have been different class and, hopefully, our form will continue.’ For his part, the hibs boss described reports of interest in signing Kris Commons from Celtic as ‘not feasible’ financially, but revealed he has taken Wales right-back Neil eardley on trial. ‘I didn’t get any Manager of the Month awards at Bolton,’ said Lennon. ‘I got plenty at Celtic. ‘It’s been a good start. If I pick up a few more of these, I will be doing something right.’
A one-on-one chat with the gaffer sealed the deal. I’m glad I signed