Wes glad he’s also handy with his feet
WES FODERINGHAM is getting a kick out of being more than a shot-stopper for Rangers.
The Ibrox goalie has racked up an impressive run of shut-outs this season.
He went into yesterday’s Scottish Cup tie against Dundee having recorded eight clean sheets in 12 games this year.
But almost as important has been his contribution to Rangers’ attacking play.
Foderingham’s ability with the ball at his feet was a major attraction when manager MarkWarburton went looking for a new keeper last summer.
The 25-year-old said: “It’s something I’ve worked on throughout my career.
“It’s part of my game and a large part of the reason why I’ve been brought here.
“We do a lot of work on it with the gaffer, goalkeeping coach Jim Stewart and the other goalies.
“In my school teams I used to play out outfield on the left.
“I came through from a Premier League academy at Fulham and it’s something that they work on a lot as well.
“I think the modern goalkeeper needs to be decent with his feet.”
Warburton is delighted with both the contribution of his No. 1 and the man coaching him.
He said: “Jim Stewart has been outstanding from day one with his coaching. I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“The players really respond to his work.
“Wes has really come on with regards to his kicking and his concentration.
“I could have come in and told Jim we were going to smash it 80 yards up the pitch and scrap for second balls.
“If my directive involved a six-foot centre-forward, Jim would have had to deal with it.
“But credit to him, we’ve told him how we want our keepers to play and he’s adapted brilliantly.”
Foderingham grew up idolising David James and feels he can learn from the example of the former England man.
He said: “He took an awful lot of stick with the errors he made but he was always selected because he was such a good keeper.
“To have that mental strength to always come back from mistakes – and people criticising you – is a great attribute to have.”