Jim White agrees as talkSPORT guest delivers honest verdict on Leeds United star Luke Ayling
Danny Murphy had Jim White nodding his head in agreement when talking about Luke Ayling and his match-winning goal for Leeds United last week.
Ayling, 30, grabbed a rare goal for the Whites in the dying moments at Molineux to secure a 3-2 win over Wolves.
Murphy loved Ayling’s celebration after the last-gasp winner and also hailed the right-back’s attitude and personality.
“He tried to copy Robbie Keane,” said Murphy on talkSPORT on Monday [21 March, 12:35pm].
White replied as he realised what Ayling’s celebration was actually about: “Oh, it was the Robbie Keane one. That’s what it was.”
Murphy then said: “Yes, but he did it in an ironic way. He obviously couldn’t do it, he wasn’t athletic so he tried to do a semi-forward roll, if you like, but that’s the character you want.
After White agreed, Murphy continued: “He’s been a Leeds favourite for years now, he’s been there a long time and the celebration from that goal… Simon [Jordan] and I were talking about it earlier about an affection for Leeds and why the fans have something to do with that.”
White then said: “Yes, it was quite a win considering where they were at half-time.”
Murphy added that it was a “massive win” for the Whites.
Hero
Ayling may be in his 30s now and he may have had some sketchy moments this season in the Leeds defence.
But he’s one of the few players at Elland Road who embodies what this club is about.
Ayling has been through it all at Leeds.
Since joining the Whites in 2016, the right-back has suffered mid-table Championship woes, play-off heartbreak, Championship title-winning success, finishing in the top-half of the Premier League and a relegation battle.
Ayling was born and bred in London but he’s an honorary Yorkshireman with 215 appearances in all competitions for Leeds.
It’ll be a sad day when he eventually leaves the club because we absolutely love his character and every bit of passion he throws into playing for this massive football club.
However, we do feel as though Ayling could be someone who’s seen as an ageing player while the fact his contract expires at the end of next season does raise some concerns about his longevity in West Yorkshire.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are ready to make a major change at Elland Road after a complaint from some rival fans.