He’s slight of build.
He’s got blond hair.
He’s never played professional football in Scotland and cannot stop scoring for Huddersfield Town.
And he’s the new bright hope for long suffering supporters of the Tartan army. So could Jordan Rhodes be the new Denis Law?
It’s perhaps slightly unfair to heap too much pressure on the shoulders of the diminutive frontman but a goal on his first international start will only raise expectations about the prospects of the little Terriers hitman.
The Tartan army were small in numbers for Wednesday’s friendly against the Aussies, their mood not helped by the lashing Edinburgh rain and the sight of Craig Levein’s men going one down to a sublime strike from Mark Bresciano.
However with 28 minutes on the clock the 11,110 hardy souls who had traipsed into Easter Road were on their feet when Rhodes met a Danny Fox cross to glance the ball into the net and draw the Scots level.
It was the news that Rhodes would be starting this low key match which had helped to create a flurry of excitement among both the press pack and home support and now he had delivered.
Scotland went on to win, yes you did read that correctly, thanks to further strikes by Jason Davidson’s own goal and a quality piece of clinical finishing from nearly forgotten man Ross McCormack but afterwards all the talk was about our new salvation.
Rhodes is a player much talked about but to the Scottish footballing public this was the first real opportunity to witness him in the flesh. For 65 minutes he led the line superbly with a man of the match display which had both punters and press salivating at the mouth.
The 22 year old has been hitting the headlines for his goalscoring exploits on a regular basis since making the grade at Ipswich Town. Brentford Towns youngest ever hat trick scorer, fastest ever hat trick scorer at Huddersfield, scorer of a record five goals in one match for the North Yorkshire outfit. Rhodes also holds the record of notching more goals for the Scotland under 21 side than anyone else, eight goals in eight matches.
Oldham born he qualifies for the Scotland side as a result of spending his youth north of the border whilst his dad, the charismatic goalie Andy Rhodes, turned out for Dunfermline, St Johnstone and Airdrie.
With no tournament football since France 98 qualification for Brazil 2014 will be a priority for Craig Levein. And with Kenny Miller heading into the twilight of his career, David Goodwillie yet to live up to his potential and Steven Fletcher still not seeing eye to eye with Levein could, pardon the pun, all Rhodes lead to Rio?
Certainly if he continues progressing at such a rapid rate Rhodes may well have to be considered a first pick for the Scotland gaffer especially if he were to step up a grade earning a move to a bigger club.
Celtic are known to have been monitoring his progress for some time while he has a whole selection of potential suitors including Premiership sides Everton and Newcastle. Don’t be surprised that by the time the transfer window slams shut on August 31st that Jordan Rhodes is whisked out of Huddersfield to pastures new.
The new Denis Law? If he becomes half the player the Manchester United legend was we will be hearing a heck of a lot more of this boy Rhodes.
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