James McFadden heaped praise on Celtic attacker Oliver Burke and said he needed a run of games after joining on loan from West Bromwich Albion.
The Sky Sports pundit claimed that the 21-year-old winger had been impressive since joining and described his general play in his handful of outings so far as excellent.
McFadden suggested that Burke was best suited to being played in a central position for the Hoops despite previously spending most of his career featuring on the flanks.
“He’s brought a physical presence but he runs in behind, I’ve been really impressed with him in his short time here,” said McFadden on Sky Sports Football (Sunday February 3rd, 12:16).
“His movement is good as I say he can link the play, he’s a big guy so can win headers in the box and he needs to get a run of games, that’s why he is here to get a run of games and we’ll see that he has a good touch, good awareness to pick a pass as I’ve said I’ve been really impressed by him and in the midweek game he played with his back towards goal, plays brilliant pass here and Sinclair should have done better.
“He has been heavily involved since he has come in and I think in his career he has been played wide right, wide left, but he looks to me in the short time that he is suited to being the middle because it has something that has been a question mark but he is a striker who brings others in to play and so far he has been excellent.”
OPINION
Burke has been gifted an golden opportunity to prove his talent at Celtic after joining in January and really needs to seize the chance with both hands. The 21-year-old has featured five times for the Hoops already and has two goals to show for his efforts. While you feel that Burke’s long time future still lies at West Brom, especially if he dazzles in his current loan spell, Brendan Rodgers should ensure his side reap the benefits of the player while he is with the club. The 21-year-old is a nice mix of power and pace, but it’s clear to see that after a long spell of not playing regular football, he needs several games in quick succession to fully get up to speed. It’s impressive for that reason that Burke has managed to impress in his first few outings for the club as to be fair, he had no business making as fast a start as he has to life at Celtic.