REO’S GOAL IS TO MAKE HIS NAME!
DONCASTER striker Reo Griffiths has insisted being dubbed the “next Harry Kane” at 17 opened doors for him rather than placing a millstone around his neck.
Griffiths earned the tabloid moniker after he grabbed four goals in a 9-0 victory for Tottenham under-18s against Arsenal, having also plundered 60 goals across two seasons at that level.
But, instead of signing pro terms at Spurs, he penned a four-year deal with French outfit Lyon following his 18th birthday in 2018.
His agent had also held talks with Real Madrid, whilst a deal had been agreed with Barcelona, but broke down over personal terms.
Just a year earlier, Griffiths’ former England under-17s team-mate Jadon Sancho had made the move to Borussia Dortmund.
Stronger
But, while Sancho quickly made big strides in Germany, Griffiths was limited to outings in France’s fourth tier with Lyon’s reserves before relegation-threatened Doncaster offered him a two-and-a-half year deal in January.
Griffiths has no regrets about his spell across the Channel, however, believing it has bolstered his inner fortitude.
“There was a lot of talk about me after that game against Arsenal, but that’s quite normal for anyone that age doing what I was doing at the time,” he argued. “It did open a few doors for me but I didn’t really pay any attention to the next Harry Kane stuff.
“My agent spoke to quite a few clubs including Real and Barcelona. There were a few players going abroad at that time and Lyon were producing a serious amount of players, so I thought that was the best option for me.
“It didn’t work out, which was frustrating, but I’m not somebody who loses his head or gets angry and stressed. I just kept my head up, worked hard and the experience made me a lot stronger mentally.
“In
January, I felt I was coming to a stage where I’m confident in my football and it was time to progress further, so I am grateful to the opportunity that Doncaster have given me.” Griffiths, now 21, announced his return to these shores in style when he scored on his first Rovers start to inspire a 2-1 triumph in front of almost 40,000 fans at Sunderland.
“It was a bit unreal because the ground went very quiet,” he smiled. “I couldn’t believe I’d done it and it was massive for me to start off in that way for the club – I needed that goal.”
Impressed
Before this weekend, he had not added to that tally in six subsequent outings, but has still impressed manager Gary McSheffrey with the manner in which he has led the line as the team’s sole central striker.
Griffiths said: “I can’t beat myself up about not scoring. It’s my job to keep the team playing so if I can assist or help in any other way I will do, and I’m sure the goals will come. We need points and it’s not about me. If I can get some goals, then brilliant, but staying up is the main objective.”
That target became more realistic with a return of three wins and a draw in February.
The latter came last weekend at relegation rivals AFC Wimbledon when the South Yorkshire outfit won an away point from two goals behind for the first time since January 2018 and Griffiths felt the comeback highlighted the belief now running through the team.
“Coming back from 2-0 down showed great character and fighting spirit,” he added. “When I came here, the lads were in high spirits and believed we could stay up - and nobody doubts that now either.”