by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
Two appearances in half a season is enough to discourage any player looking to further his career both at the club and country levels. But not for Maurice Edu, who on Friday night revealed that he had turned down the idea of being loaned out from Rangers FC during the winter transfer window.
The former Toronto FC midfielder told the Daily Record that people within the Rangers organization had approached him about a possible solution to his lack of minutes; a loan move away from Ibrox Stadium.
Edu turned down that notion stating that he wants to earn his time on the field.
"A couple of people suggested me going on loan but I want to make my mark at Rangers," said Edu.
"I'm just trying to make strides and hopefully my time will come."
Edu's positive outlook and his recovery from an ankle injury may just be what he needs in order to find playing time with Rangers. And playing time is what he needs not only to develop as a player but especially if he wants to compete for a spot on the U.S. national team.
What do you think of Edu's comments? Can you see Edu breaking through and getting more playing time? Think he made a mistake by passing up a loan move? Do you see Edu playing a part in World Cup qualifying with guys like Michael Bradley, Sacha Kljestan and Jose Francisco Torres all finding constant playing time?
Share your thoughts below.
He was offered a loan out to Hearts and Aberdeen I believe but turned it down. I guess the view from the stands at Ibrox beats the one from the pitch when you’re actually playing in games. Don’t kid yourselves about him being on the bench. He isn’t even close to getting there. He was crap against Forfar and that is a bush team. It’s street clothes and the stands for him for the next 4 years.
The Daily Record story that is the source of this post is more than a month old. For some reason, somebody at BigSoccer posted it this weekend in the Edu thread, and suddenly it’s now getting noted everywhere else.
He’ll be playing soon enough. Some of us Yank fans are too impatient and expect these guys to be starting 90 minutes every game. It just doesn’t happen that fast for every player. For instance, look at Clint Dempsey, the first season or two at Fulham his playing time was sporadic, now he is a full-time starter.
Just like Axel said, just a little patience.
@Kizz I was just wondering. I have never seen an SPL game so I don’t know. I know it is prevalent at some clubs throughout Europe. And I absolutely do not support any form of racism or prejudice at all. Thanks for clearing it up.
Sorry, this gets on my nerves. Dempsey’s woodwork shaker was from thirty, not twent. If you look, he was two full grass stripes outside the 18. (18 yards plus 12 = 30 yards, as each of those dtripes is 6 yards in width) Its really trivial and no big deal but people need to pay attention if they are gonna post info…
I’ve always thought having Edu and/or Clark play some outside back would vastly improve our defense. Sure there would be a learning curve, but their speed and “destroyer” attitude along with their skill on the ball from playing the midfield would be a superior talent upgrade compared to what we have now. Not only that, but there would be a lot of versatility in our formations and tactical approach.
@DC Josh it has nothing to do with racism. Rangers has had Daniel Cousin from Gabon and Jean-Claude Darcheville from Guiana start and Beasley once started especially in Champions League matches. STOP the race card now, please!! I am black so no need to go there.
I can respect his decision to stay and fight. It’s no surprise to me though since he is a Terp.
Are there any black players who start for Rangers? I’m beginning to think there is more going on over there.
Assuming he does have a girlfriend, the Rangers wouldn’t loan him off the Island anyway. I’d imagine he’d go to a lower team in the Scottish 1st, it’s quite the drop outside of the old firm.
Anyway, I guess he likes being a hun. Fine, whatever. He’s not going to get time this year, in all likelihood. And probably not next year either. It’s a shame, but that’s what happens on the wrong side of Glasgow.
I see Edu having a serious girlfriend in Scotland that he does not want to leave.
Beas, and Maurice, get out of Rangers and Scotland as fast as you can.
marksomm: please dont give info on other games. This is not the place for it as some people aren’t watching live and quite reasonably do not expect to have play by play on Fulham games in the comments to a Maurice Edu Rangers article. Tks.
At this stage in his career, he needs matches. Doesn’t matter where he’s loaned to as long as he plays. There is no substitute for match play as it exposes him to pressure situations he cannot get from sitting on the bench. Plus he gets confidence from playing and it makes him match fit.
Sitting on the bench now is detrimental to his development since he’s not an established pro, who can rely on their playing experience once they come off the bench.
now its murphy who hits the crossbar from 20. fulham should be ahead by about 3-0 by now, but still a scoreless tie
I don’t understand why Rangers signed him anyways.. he seemed overwhelmed with TFC and played terrible in the second season. Anyways, he’s finished..
dempsey playing for fulham, just hit the upper 90 woodwork from a shot 20 yards out, fulham should be ahead, but the way west brom are defending its only a matter of time before fulham do take the lead.
he should have tooked the loan cause he not playin with rangers, he doesnt have there style of play why do you think fadu and josy are gettin loaned off they were hype up to much
That photo actually has something going for it in a caption contest, which I don’t usually get into, but I can’t resist this one.
“Dude, don’t mess, I’ve almost got this Force thing down!”
Jozy didn’t even make the bench today…. geez i hate mid season loans
Hey Ives, any info on Jozy at Xerez since he’s been back, his team’s website is not that great, and info is hard to come upon.
Kilmarnock
What team is Edu playing against in the pic? Those kits are sweet.
@ Chente
I played college soccer. We cannot compare in any way the game here to overseas; guys are playing daily, not your Wednesday winter indoors or over the weekend games, training daily as well. Give me a break, they are not practicing every time during spring either, coaches can only be involved in certain amount of games. Yes guys are keeping in shape, but it is totally different overseas. How many games are there in a college season compared to playing on reserve teams as a 16-year in Europe?
Sorry I played with friends overseas also, the culture is totally different.
I don’t know, the loan moves don’t neccessarily mean a player will get to play. Look at Adu with Monaco. I think it might be better to stay with one team, and one coach so they begin to know the player.
Kizz,
Not sure you’re up on college soccer. Most college ball players, especially at good programs, play more or less year round. It’s true they only have an official season in the fall… but they do have a spring (practice) season as well. Plus all players worth anything play indoor winter leagues and/or tournaments as well as summer leagues and/or tournaments. I don’t think too many guys could play for a good D1 program just by sitting on their butts for 8 months and showing up to preseason camp in august.
So, while it’s true professional soccer is another level compared to college, I don’t think you can just refer to “culture” differences and say top Americans don’t play as much as Europeans. I mean, it’s not like he only started playing all the time once he moved to Scotland and assimilated to a new way life!
I watched Mo play in both the friendly with AC Milan and the Scottish Cup game against Forfar Athletic FC. He played well in both games, though he whiffed on a sitter when Kenny Miller’s overhead kick was saved and the chance for a goal presented itself. I think he was thinking of the glory rather than the ball. In both games he looked confident and strong, though a little nervous with the ball at his feet, still getting used to his teammates and the system I suspect. He linked up well with Beasley, having another American must be helpful, both on and off the pitch.
I have to say the decision to stay and fight for his place is a double-edged sword. Having watched every game Edu played in Toronto I was a bit surprised when he left, he has talent, but due to the nature of the North American development system he still had a lot of learning left to complete his game. Rangers is a solid organization and staying to fight for his spot will be good, better if the Gers were in Europe; a heavier schedule would give him more opportunities. Getting regular playing time would of been beneficial as well, but I get the impression he was rather stoked to be in Glasgow, to be loaned out may have sullied his high and stretched his comfort in a new country.
In time he will earn his place, perhaps not this season, but the next is full of new chances. Rangers will presumably be back in Europe, and a full year with his new team and coaches should do him well. The USMNT may have to do without him until he gets regular action, but it can only be good for the lad to solidify his career, then help his country.
PS – I’m Canadian and on the Green side of Glasgow, but Mo was a treat to have at our club, I try to catch every game he gets across the pond and I wish him the best, even if he is a Blue.
Too bad he didn’t get the loan — it has worked out so well for Jozy!
How about you write something on an American that actually saw the field – Jonathan Spector.
We are still 16 months out from the World Cup. I won’t be concerned about players not getting playing time until 6 months out. Right now players fighting for their spots at quality clubs is more important.
There is this Ignorant and arrogant mentality that Europeans hate Americans. Why does Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey start for their respective clubs? I was not a fan of the move to Rangers for Maurice, but you could tell Johnstone his former coach at TFC had hands all over it.
If Mo is good enough, he will get his chance at Rangers. We are talking about an established Scottish team here not some small time club. Edu played in college what three years ago, goes from playing how many college soccer games a season to competing with guys who play this sport everyday; soccer in college is a fall sport, while Maurice is chilling in the winter, guys are still running around. Its a different culture and if you expect him to start ASAP, then you are not realistic.
ew why would he want to stay on the huns’ bench? unless it was to a lower league or something, but then still…at least you’re not a hun.
If it was to another Scottish team in SPL or lower, then this was 100% the correct decision.
Perhaps simply looking at the situation from a learning perspective Rangers may be the best place forcing him to improve in order to get on the field. However, in his attempts to become a mainstay on our national team not starting is going to do nothing but hurt his position.
Can Edu play Left Back? Ok, just kidding or not.
Not quite sure what is going on over there at Rangers- but Americans have the short end of the stick. Beaz seems to play pretty well whenever he’s on, but he can’t find the pitch very often, then we get word that he nearly transferred out- in what would have been a great move to Schalke- and now Edu had the chance to leave, but turned it down? Not sure I understand that move- but then again, I guess it depends on where they were talking about loaning him to…
I am impressed with his attitude. Hopefully it will pay off. What do you think ives?