TFCREDNWHITE
12-16-2008, 10:49 AM
more here: http://www.mauriceedu.com/edu/index
I think Rangers were NEVER duped in the deal....They know exactly what they are getting and they know exactly how they want to mold him in to the type of player they want him to be...
Vital Rangers Maurice Edu Profile
Maurice Edu was another summer signing that Walter Smith seemed to pull out of his sleeve, before the press got wind of the link as he signed from Toronto FC who are managed by none other than ex Gers and Celtic Legend Mo Johnstone.
It was apparently Mo Johnstone who first alerted Walter about the powerful 6ft1' American Defensive Midfielder, who at the age of 22 has broken into the National Squad and is a permanent feature beside the likes of Clint Dempsey of Fulham and Rangers winger DeMarcas Beasley in a strong U.S.A. Team.
I must admit when I heard we had signed Edu I thought of former Arsenal midfielder Edu which I later found out many others had also.
So why did Walter splash nearly 3 million pounds for the pacey holding midfielder ? He has not much experience, yet has earned 14 Caps for the USA and Walter was obviously impressed with video footage and he then sent Ewan Chester out to watch the kid play.
Along with reassurance from Beasley and Mo Johnstone, Walter spoke with Edu and was impressed with his attitude and explained to him that he would not just walk into the side.
The big Yank is seen to be a stand in for the now out of favour former Gers Holding player Hemdani and Smith has watched Edu in training and in bounce games stating he has good vision and is very quick and powerful, he is young and is willing to learn and will be a good player to have in the squad, he played against Hamilton on Tuesday night and I felt he was very impressive as did many other fans. He was getting from box to box sharply and also finding players with decent passes and was not scared to have a shot at goal..
After such a good game mid week it will be hard for Wattie to drop him but with the return of Captain Barry Ferguson and Kevin Thomson meant to be fit again he will probably fall back onto the bench, but has surely given Walter food for thought as he looked very confident in his role in the Cup match..
'I am happy and the team are doing so well right now," Edu said on MauriceEdu.com. "We`re winning so it`s not often you make changes when the team is winning."
Rangers are currently in second place in the SPL and the 2007 MLS Rookie of the Year also understands that when the time comes he needs to be ready.
"My mentality right now is just to be patient and wait for my chance," Edu said. "I`m just looking forward to getting back in the team and showing them what I can do."
Despite the lack of game experience Edu seems to be enjoying life overseas.
'I thought I played quite well against Hamilton, but I realize I was just in as cover.'
'The fans are very passionate. They`re real diehards,' he said ' When I first arrived I could not believe the taxi driver knew who I was and that the crowd were chanting my name, the noise they make is great and they make you feel wanted, I think they are more passionate than Americans are on Baseball or American Football, I have never heard anything like this.'
The big lad is sure to make an impact when his time comes and after playing 38 games and scoring 5 times for Toronto in the MLSSuperdraft League, he spoke with Beasley about Rangers and could not wait for the move to happen, he had heard of the Club but never realized how big we were and how large a fan base we had. No matter how much Mo Jo told him and showed him until his first experience at the Old Firm Derby he thought it was more hyped up, now he can safely say he has landed at one of the biggest teams in the World and looks forward to an exciting career and hopes to be a part of a Rangers squad in European football next season he says as well as winning some medals this year.
The Kansas born American could have a bright future at Rangers if he is willing to bide his time, and going by his attitude, he is the perfect student for the Rangers coaches to bring into the new look Gers régime.
Good Luck Mo.
I think Rangers were NEVER duped in the deal....They know exactly what they are getting and they know exactly how they want to mold him in to the type of player they want him to be...
Vital Rangers Maurice Edu Profile
Maurice Edu was another summer signing that Walter Smith seemed to pull out of his sleeve, before the press got wind of the link as he signed from Toronto FC who are managed by none other than ex Gers and Celtic Legend Mo Johnstone.
It was apparently Mo Johnstone who first alerted Walter about the powerful 6ft1' American Defensive Midfielder, who at the age of 22 has broken into the National Squad and is a permanent feature beside the likes of Clint Dempsey of Fulham and Rangers winger DeMarcas Beasley in a strong U.S.A. Team.
I must admit when I heard we had signed Edu I thought of former Arsenal midfielder Edu which I later found out many others had also.
So why did Walter splash nearly 3 million pounds for the pacey holding midfielder ? He has not much experience, yet has earned 14 Caps for the USA and Walter was obviously impressed with video footage and he then sent Ewan Chester out to watch the kid play.
Along with reassurance from Beasley and Mo Johnstone, Walter spoke with Edu and was impressed with his attitude and explained to him that he would not just walk into the side.
The big Yank is seen to be a stand in for the now out of favour former Gers Holding player Hemdani and Smith has watched Edu in training and in bounce games stating he has good vision and is very quick and powerful, he is young and is willing to learn and will be a good player to have in the squad, he played against Hamilton on Tuesday night and I felt he was very impressive as did many other fans. He was getting from box to box sharply and also finding players with decent passes and was not scared to have a shot at goal..
After such a good game mid week it will be hard for Wattie to drop him but with the return of Captain Barry Ferguson and Kevin Thomson meant to be fit again he will probably fall back onto the bench, but has surely given Walter food for thought as he looked very confident in his role in the Cup match..
'I am happy and the team are doing so well right now," Edu said on MauriceEdu.com. "We`re winning so it`s not often you make changes when the team is winning."
Rangers are currently in second place in the SPL and the 2007 MLS Rookie of the Year also understands that when the time comes he needs to be ready.
"My mentality right now is just to be patient and wait for my chance," Edu said. "I`m just looking forward to getting back in the team and showing them what I can do."
Despite the lack of game experience Edu seems to be enjoying life overseas.
'I thought I played quite well against Hamilton, but I realize I was just in as cover.'
'The fans are very passionate. They`re real diehards,' he said ' When I first arrived I could not believe the taxi driver knew who I was and that the crowd were chanting my name, the noise they make is great and they make you feel wanted, I think they are more passionate than Americans are on Baseball or American Football, I have never heard anything like this.'
The big lad is sure to make an impact when his time comes and after playing 38 games and scoring 5 times for Toronto in the MLSSuperdraft League, he spoke with Beasley about Rangers and could not wait for the move to happen, he had heard of the Club but never realized how big we were and how large a fan base we had. No matter how much Mo Jo told him and showed him until his first experience at the Old Firm Derby he thought it was more hyped up, now he can safely say he has landed at one of the biggest teams in the World and looks forward to an exciting career and hopes to be a part of a Rangers squad in European football next season he says as well as winning some medals this year.
The Kansas born American could have a bright future at Rangers if he is willing to bide his time, and going by his attitude, he is the perfect student for the Rangers coaches to bring into the new look Gers régime.
Good Luck Mo.