Sky Sports pundit Matt Le Tissier has predicted that Southampton striker Danny Ings can achieve a cult status at the club.
The £75,000-a-week [Spotrac] star has netted three goals in four games for the Saints, with the latest coming from the penalty spot in their 2-2 draw with Brighton on Tuesday night.
In light of his recent form, the Southampton legend had a few choice phrases to say about the recent arrival at the St Mary’s Stadium – with one of them being that he is capable of achieving a cult status at the club on the South Coast.
He has also agreed with his fellow Sky pundit Paul Merson, who likened the attacker to Teddy Sheringham – but he thinks he can see some qualities in him that match those of ex-Southampton favourite Rickie Lambert.
“I think he could be [a cult hero]. He’s started really well and if he continues that… When we’ve had players in the past who’ve performed to a high level and haven’t played at a big club before they’ve only got to have one good season and all of a sudden here come the vultures,” he told the Daily Echo.
“I can understand what Merse is saying. I think he’s got a very good football brain. He hasn’t got blistering pace but he sees a pass very well, he sees runs very well and he runs into space and gets himself in good positions.
“When I saw him play for Burnley a few years ago I actually compared him to Rickie. They’re very different in terms of physical stature and Rickie was probably better in the air and at set pieces but they can see a pass and drop off people and play that role, like the Sheringham role, so there are some similarities.”
OPINION
Le Tissier is spot on in his verdict of Danny Ings – he has been superb for Southampton so far this season. In previous campaigns, the Saints have struggled to identify a player as their main talisman, but they seem to have now found it in the shape of Ings. The fact that a club legend like Le Tissier reckons that Ings can achieve a cult status at the club implies just how highly he regards the ex-Liverpool forward – and fans would have a right to get excited after hearing the verdict of one of their legends. Nevertheless, the fact that Ings has already netted three goals in four games bodes well for the rest of the season – and there is no reason why he cannot go into double figures as the year progresses. Rickie Lambert was a prolific striker back in his Southampton days, and it is not a bad shout to liken Ings to him – he was a pivotal figure at the club, and he contributed largely to them achieving promotion to the top flight