Martinez in talks with Scotland
icwales.icnetwork.co.uk
Apr 30 2008
ROBERTO Martinez has opened talks with Jason Scotland over a new deal – in a bid to keep big-spending rivals at bay.
Scotland yesterday became the first of Swansea’s promotion-winning team to be linked with a Liberty Stadium exit after the star striker was named as a £2m target for Derby County.
And, having grabbed attention of numerous managers with his 29-goal exploits this season, fans are fearful there will be more clubs waiting in the wings to try and lure the Trinidad international away from South Wales.
But it is understood Scotland, who has been named the club’s player of the year, wants to commit his future to the club and has already started discussions with Martinez about extending his Swansea stay. His contract is due to run out at the end of next season.
But, after an impressive impact in his debut Football League season, Swansea will be bracing themselves for a summer of speculation involving Scotland and their other key men.
After helping Swansea to top spot, Ferrie Bodde and Angel Rangel were linked with moves away from the Liberty earlier in the campaign. Andy Robinson has long been admired by rival bosses, all of whom will be keeping tabs on the midfielder’s contract situation.
Under no pressure to sell any of his stars, Martinez has always maintained he enjoys hearing of interest in his players, seeing it as complimentary to Swansea’s success.
Martinez has been quick to praise all of his players’ efforts this season and admitted he was pleased not to have to decide on the player of the year award.
And, although Scotland may have walked home with the prize last night, Swans legend Alan Curtis believes he fought off stiff competition to do so.
Curtis, who made a name for himself during three different spells at the club during the 1970s and ’80s, is now part of Martinez’s backroom staff as a coach and scout and has had a first-hand view of the team’s success this year.
But, with so many players consistently performing well this season, he admitted it was very hard to single out just one individual. That, in his eyes, is just further proof of how successful the Swans campaign has been.
“This has to be the fiercest competition we have had for the player of the year in ages,” he claimed. “That just shows how well we have done this season.
“It’s been such a good season that everyone was a contender for that award. A lot of players made huge contributions.
“When you look through the side everyone played vital roles in winning promotion. So whoever was going to win that award, they certainly deserved it.”
With his goal-scoring exploits hard to ignore, Curtis admitted Scotland was always going to be a front-runner for the award. The Trinidad and Tobago international’s prolific form has certainly been a crucial factor in the Swans success.
But Curtis feels club captain Garry Monk, for his efforts at the other end of the pitch, must have been a close second. The Swans skipper was a rock in defence.
With his impressive individual displays being matched by equally strong leadership skills, Curtis believes Monk couldn’t have been far behind Scotland in the votes.
“Garry had to be up there,” he said. “He put in some great performances and was a brilliant leader, on and off the pitch.
“Had it just been a case of who the most influential player was, he would have won.
“Sometimes defenders don’t get the credit they deserve. And, with Garry in particular, it’s only when he is not in the team that you realise exactly how good he is.”
He continued: “Jason was the top contender, though. To have 29 goals so far is a fantastic achievement. Anyone who scores that many goals has got to be up there with the best. Jason is no exception.
“And it’s not just that he scored a lot of goals, he scored them at crucial times. When Swansea needed him, he delivered.”
As for the other contenders, Curtis added: “Dorus de Vries also looked excellent throughout the season and Angel Rangel was a revelation after coming into British football as relative unknown.
“Ferrie Bodde has also been excellent this season. He is such a brilliant footballer to watch.
“If you talk about players that can go to a higher level, Ferrie has got Premiership class written all over him.
“Then if you are talking about consistent performers, Leon Britton is one of the best. He has been magnificent since the day he walked into this club and this season is no different.
“On top of that there are several other players, the likes of Darren Pratley, Andy Robinson, Tom Butler and Paul Anderson, that deserve a mention. There are just too many to chose from.”