Maurice Edu has spent the better part of the Scottish Premier League season on the bench, biding his time and waiting for a chance to prove that he is worthy of a larger role with Rangers. That chance has come after a strange series of events cost a team leader his place, leaving the door open for Edu to capitalize.
When Barry Ferguson joined Scotland teammate Allen McGregor in not only going on a drinking binge after a World Cup qualifier with Scotland, but also making mocking signals from the Scotland bench during its subseqent qualifier, he was immediately banned for life from Scotland and placed on the transfer list by Rangers.
Enter Edu, who will go into today's match against St. Mirren with a chance to make a central midfield job his own.
If Edu can thrive and keep a place, it could bode well not only for his future at Rangers, but also his prospects of developing a more important role with the U.S. national team during what will be a very busy and important summer.
What do you think of Edu's situation? Do you like his chances of grabbing a starting role? Think his time at Rangers won't last too much longer? See him making a move elsewhere this summer, or can you see him becoming a regular at Rangers?
Share your thoughts below.
Goal Edu!
“19 – Goal!! Maurice Edu hits a very good header to the upper right corner from the centre penalty area (aprox. 6 yards) and scores!! Rangers now leads 2 – 0”
Maurice Edu scored in the 19th minute, as Rangers lead 2-0.
Fellas, Edu and Beas are in the starting lineup tonight.
Say a little prayer there are no leg-breaking tackles involving either one of them.
I stand corrected. The first story I read did not have him on a bender, but merely “drinking,” and I understood the ‘V’ sign to be a one-time thing, not something he was doing throughout the game. I’d still say banning somebody “for life” is a bit much, but clearly I misunderstood the extent of Ferguson’s actions. I humbly retract my earlier post.
I would never want Ferguson playing again for my country. The guy got pissed the day before a crucial Word Cup qualifier and he is supposed to be captain. Fair punishment I say, no way he can play for Scotland again after he has potentially wrecked millions of peoples dreams of going to the world cup by doin what he did. (just to put it in a perspective some of you may understand)
Josh @ 11:37 wrote:
… banning the dude for life is indicative more of Scotland’s hyper-nationalist sensibility and an inferiority complex born of constant national humiliation more than anything that Ferguson did specifically.
==============
and many of the comments on this thread saying the Scottish FA overreacted are indicative of our typical American cluelessness.
Those Scots love their whiskey.
I see Ferguson going somewhere in Europe before he comes over here. Although he’d be a fantastic buy for Philly’s DP spot, controlling the midfield, and putting cash in the pockets of local bar owners.
Back to the post’s topic:
The MNT needs a brutal, Gattuso-esque midfielder who puts fear in the opposition and clogs the midfield. Edu can be that type of player, and the SPL could be the proper arena to develop him into a fearless player.
In my opinion we have too many pansies on our MNT. Brian McBride was the guy who would put his head near the ball without any thought of getting hurt. Too many players now pull away from going in on hard 50/50’s, and it burns me up inside.
A V-sign mean F*** off.
Come on you Buddies!!
Somewhere in Paris, Paul LeGuen is having a good laugh at Ferguson’s plight.
Both theherald.co.uk and thescotsman.co.uk have fuller stories on Edu.
I will steal a quote from my old Econ Prof back in college: “Opportunity Lost is Opportunity Cost.”
Isaac – Agree with your comment on size and physical SPL play fits Edu’s game. If he doesn’t take advantage of this opportunity, not sure he will pan out to much more than a below average player in Europe and Above average player in MLS.
i thought the v sign was the equivalent of calling some one a cu*t. pretty classless imo. that said, again, great opportunity for Mo Edu. Hope he makes the most of it. The kid’s got loads of skill and talent.
Hey Ives – I check out 5/6 soccer sites a day and yours is the only one with the Edu story on it. KUDOS to you my friend forthe US side of the scoop.
is the mls intrested in Barry Ferguson or Allen McGregor. I know they both have a tainted image now. but the mls could benifit from this inccident by grabbing 2 players at a discounted price.
Huzzah!
Btw, the v sign basically means “Up your bum”. So yeah, they view it as offensive.
I hope Edu does well. Perhaps we will have an Andy Dorman sighting as well.
The part of the story that is being overlooked, is that George Burley sanctioned the drinking (not the excess but ok’d the bar trip). They flew back from the Netherlands after midnight and Burley still said go have a drink lads. Granted the culture is different but doesnt he have some culpaibility in this. Ferguson and McGregor are at fault (and fully for the V-signs) but others deserve some blame. sorry for the length
Were they drinking all night the day before or the day after the game? Anyone know?
The penalty seems harsh, but what they did is pretty insane. First of all, Ferguson is M.B.E., which in itself makes this funny. Secondly, they drank all night before a qualifier, reportedly until 11:00 AM.
So they were benched (remember that Ferguson, besides being honored by the Queen, was the captain) and assuredly got a lashing from everyone in the position to do so. So, after receiving a disciplinary DNP, they decided to make a very obscene gesture throughout the game. I assume this gesture was intended for…whom? Scottish FA? Manager? All of the above? I don’t know what else they could have expected.
The v-sign is a backwards peace sign. In South Africa it was more offensive than the middle finger in the US, but it is similar. I don’t recall people doing it in traffic, more like they were drunk and wanted to fight.
A lot of these posts show a lack of understanding.
To put it in an American perspective, imagine that Sacha Kljestan got incredibly drunk and didn’t stop until noon the day of a World Cup qualifier, and then was seen flicking people off at the game.
I don’t think you can blame the Scots for being mad.
“Do these Scots have their heads so far up their collective behinds that they give bans for childish behavior?”
Posted by: Indie FC
Short answer: yes. It pains me to say it (since my family came to the US from Scotland), but they’re a nation of intolerant twits who need drunken fistfights over religion, ethnicity, etc. to get them through the day. Ferguson’s night out is TOTALLY consistent with the national culture of drinking.
The ‘V’ gesture is similar to the middle finger here, but banning the dude for life is indicative more of Scotland’s hyper-nationalist sensibility and an inferiority complex born of constant national humiliation more than anything that Ferguson did specifically.
That said, now’s Edu’s chance, and I hope he grabs the starting role and makes it his. As for Ferguson, he should join the long lineage of Scots who realized that the grass really is greener elsewhere.
I hate when there is nothing of value after jump, doesn’t everyone?
Any chance you can make it a standard practice to put the most compelling part of the story under the fold, or at least add more story than the obvious (a chance will give him an opportunity). Feels like your earning a cheap extra click and engagement score by doing it how you did on this story.
The physical nature of the SPL suits Edu and playing alongside a midfielder like Ferguson must have been great for his skills. Trex is right; he’s the best partner for Bradley. Two athletic juggernauts in the holding midfield role who also know how to attack is fine by me.
Great for Mo, although outside of the Old Firm the SPL is poor, would like a move to a better league eventually.
The V sign is the equivalent of the Middle finger in America.
For those having trouble understanding what is meant by the V sign, think of certain part of the female anatomy, its a pretty derogatory signal…
It’s a big deal because it’s one of, if not the most, obscene gestures that you can make in the UK.
They did it after being out all night drinking when they were supposed to be representing their country.
Add in the fact that he’s club captain, and supposed to set a good example.
The public backlash was huge. The SFA initially banned them for a few games, but the response was so bad that they reconsidered.
Ferguson’s drinking binge and subsequent gestures seem pretty tame compared to the trouble American sports stars get into. There were no drugs or strip clubs involved, and nobody was shot. What’s the big deal?
Good luck Edu.
Edu, make me a Rangers fan.
This is the opportunity he’s been waiting for. I hope he takes full advantage of it. If Edu is at the top of his game, he and Michael Bradley would make a great combination in the central midfield.
And I agree with Chrös, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Barry Ferguson come to MLS. He’s a solid defensive midfielder. If the asking price is right, someone should give him a shot.
The kind of place that will never see a WC spot again, as long as they continue to run a draconian program. My god, I was expecting something truly classless…. instead we get a peace or victory sign?
If I lived in Scotland, I’d be calling for the jobs of every single member of the federation. What a joke….. the whole world’s laughing.
I think we’d all rather see him playing in another league….the only advantage with Rangers is that he’ll get some good experiences playing in the Champions League.
Can be interpreted as an obscene gesture – often compared to the “middle finger”. Wiki sees it a little different…FYI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_sign
It’s what happens when you’re on the wrong side of glasgow.
Let’s be honest. Rangers are going to lose the league again to Celtic. Edu is good, but in my opinion, not ready to sholder the load of a full time spot in center midfield. He’s going to have a few bad games, get blamed for the loss, and all of a sudden they’ve got some scottish kid in center midfield and Edu is back where he started until Schalke or someone of the like comes in and buys him.
Sound familiar?
Well whatever!
Good luck Edu!
A guy flashes the peace sign after sharing a few refreshing brews with his friends and he’s shown the door…what kind of world is this Scotland place?
yeah, what is the V signal?
Could someone tell me what “mocking” gesture could possibly be terrible enough to warrant a lifetime ban from the corner bar, let alone a national team? Excuse me? Do these Scots have their heads so far up their collective behinds that they give bans for childish behavior? Really? I think a little preparation H is in order for their federation. Wow, they just went waaaaay down in my esteem.
That said, good for Edu!
what the hell is a V signal, and why was it so offensive? i have a few guesses, obviously, but am curious as to what it is exactly or if it’s just a cultural thing..
I still find it difficult to fathom that all of this controversy comes from obscene gestures. Guys don’t get banned for attacking players or fans but making the “v-sign” is grounds for career ending punishment…
But this is a great opportunity for Edu to shine and I think he will make the most of it. I wish him the best of luck to succeed at Rangers and the USMNT.
That’s great news, I hope he shines.
Best case scenario, yes, I think he could grab a hold onto a regular starting spot there and the increased playing time would sharpen his game just at the right time, allowing him to push back into the National team picture and grab hold of the D-Mid spot.
On paper, he really is the perfect pairing with Bradley.
I hope he does well for Rangers.
best of luck, he is a freak physically and being a starter would just help the other parts of his games progression.
Barry Ferguson to MLS.
fear the turtle, get it done Mo
first of all, what a bizarre situation in scotland right now. A night of drinking-which to be seems fairly commonplace for scots, followed by making a stupid gesture from the sidelines and all of a sudden BANNED for life from the national side and on the transfer list for the club? Haha just seems a bit extreme to me but I’m not going to judge.
That said, this is as you put it Ives, a FANTASTIC opportunity for one of our bright young stars-that picture you always put up of him really shows how scarily athletic this kid is-I’d much rather see him in a less physical-more skill-oriented league-but I’m sure that’s why Rangers went after him.
Time on the field will only improve his chances of getting on the pitch for the Nats.
Wish the kid the best.
And boy does the UK know how to produce quality online videos or what?
Ives, you know better than that.
When your at rangers fc theres no chance to shine, once your signed your due to eternal sadness and depression.
I hope he uses this chance to its fullest extent.
He’s got the quality, he just needs to prove it when he is on the pitch.
He has big shoes to fill as well, but I believe in him and support him.