Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Hearts Eye Liverpool Striker Michael Ngoo

Liverpool’s Michael Ngoo is one of several strikers being monitored by Hearts as they consider whether to reinforce their attack with another loan move. The Evening News has learned that Ngoo’s name is on a shortlist of potential targets from south of the Border.

The 20-year-old has been watched several times by the Hearts manager John McGlynn and director of football John Murray in recent months. He is an England Under-19 and Under-20 internationalist, 6ft 4in tall and is known for his lightning pace and physical presence up front.

He is able to play as a lone striker or as part of a two or three-man attack. Hearts have yet to decide whether to move for Ngoo or go for one of the other options on their list.

As revealed recently, McGlynn is keen to recruit a new striker if possible. Hearts are restricted by the SPL to signing under-21 players on a one-in-one-out basis.

Having replaced Ryan McGowan with Danny Wilson from Liverpool, they could return to Anfield to broker 
another loan agreement with Peter Enckelman’s place in the squad still open.

Ngoo joined Liverpool in September 2009 from Southend United for a fee potentially worth up to £250,000. He scored 15 goals in 21 games for Liverpool’s under-18s in season 2010/11, which earned him promotion to the club’s reserve squad. He was also part of the England’s squad for the Under-20 World Cup in Colombia in 2011.

McGlynn’s dealings with the Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers, over Wilson were smooth and uncomplicated, and today he praised the Northern Irishman for allowing the centre-back to move north until the end of the season.

“I have to thank Liverpool and Brendan for being so co-operative and allowing Danny to come here,” he said.

“We’d earmarked Danny for some time and had been down watching some games, but it was just coincidence that the transfer ban was lifted.

“Fortunately for us, Danny falls into that under-21 category.”

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