Celtic, the Glasgow giants, have maintained their persistent dominance in Scottish football and once again humbled their age-old rivals Rangers FC on Sunday’s Old Firm Derby at Ibrox. The Hoops are on course of clinching their seventh consecutive Premiership title and Brendan Rodgers has transformed them into a force far better of their closest counterparts. The ex-Liverpool boss does not have the luxury of spending millions in the transfer market, but the smart business the Hoops have done under him deserves appreciation. The Northern Irishman, however, suffered a massive setback in pursuit of Sunderland youngster Ethan Robson who recently signed a contract extension and expressed his delight on social media.
Very happy to have signed a new contract at @SunderlandAFC today, the hard work continues! ??⚽️ #safc pic.twitter.com/nJ79XqIW38
— Ethan Robson (@Ethan_robson8) March 8, 2018
Robson, currently 21, was running out of his contract this summer. But a two-year extension will see him continue at the club until the summer of 2020 which has now ended up in a heartbreak for Rodgers who was keen on bringing in the Black Cats prodigy on a Bosman deal. Sunderland are in a complete mess following their Premier League relegation last season and currently rock bottom of the Championship table.
Things have not altered much despite bringing in ex-Wales boss Chris Coleman to rescue their season and the Tyneside outfit are approaching towards a drop to the third-tier with every passing gameweek.
The boyhood Sunderland fan, meanwhile, is ecstatic about the contract renewal and is willing to continue the good work that has earned him senior minutes under Coleman in the middle of the park. He has been handed a central midfield role where he is operating box-to-box and orchestrating the moves from behind. he is combative, good at tackling, tries to use his physicality to snatch possession and likes to find out his teammates with quality passing traits.
Robson joined club’s youth ranks back in 2004 and flourished through the set-up in past 14 years. The player is aware of his demands but pledged loyalty for the Black Cats and is ecstatic about continuing there irrespective of the outcome.
“I’m over the moon and buzzing to get the deal done. It is great for me personally and it’s something I’ve been wanting to get done. I’ve been here since I was eight. I would like to commit my future to the club. I am a Sunderland fan and I want to do as well as I can for the club.”
Robson, capable of playing at both the base and tip of a midfield three, would have been a huge signing for the Hoops in the longer run. The Englishman has also been explored in wide attacking roles where he showed the glimpses of his quality to be a future sensation. The Bhoys have several central midfield options in form of Scott Brown, Stuart Armstrong, Olivier Ntcham, Nir Bitton and Callum McGregor. Rodgers has conquered the domestic titles but is on a mission to build up a squad for the future who will re-establish their reputation in Europe too. A starlet like Robson is the perfect fit for such an ambitious project but the gaffer now needs to look elsewhere for alternative transfer targets.
