by Don van Vliet » Fri Oct 10, 2014 5:06 pm
We need to clear up this stuff about Ali Crawford. I've seen him play 3 times - at NDP against Livi last October (2-0 home win), the first play-off game against Hibs on tele, the extended highlights of the Motherwell game on Alba, plus the other highlights this season. On each occasion I thought he stands out as a talented player. I know he became a pet hate for some fans because he allegedly pulled out of an alleged leg-breaker, but I have seen nothing to deserve that. This season, he has been outstanding. Vision, swift of foot, speed of thought.
I think the most important thing is that Alex Neil clearly knew a good thing when he saw it, and it doesn't say much for the judgement of those who liked to abuse Ali - they couldn't see the talent in front of their eyes. I wonder if the same is true of GG. In those same matches, I was impressed by him, especially the 0-2 loss to Hibs. I ended up thinking, is this the same player as people are continually slagging off?
It may be that both players have grown and matured considerably (it would be odd if they hadn't). Also, maybe they were too good for the second tier and now are able to shine properly in the more refined atmosphere.
Finally, as for Ali's goal against Celtic, I saw no chickening out of a challenge there. That was singled-minded determination and courage with the tackle coming in.
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Law of Averages? There is no law of averages.