Phil Hay shares Georginio Rutter update as record signing finally scores Leeds United colours
Georginio Rutter has finally scored for the first time wearing a Leeds United shirt, but for the under-21s in the Division 2 play-off final vs Nottingham Forest, as reported by Phil Hay.
The Whites’ record signing has had a difficult time since he arrived at Elland Road in the January transfer window, and hasn’t got off the bench for the past five Premier League fixtures in the relegation battle.
The 21-year-old has been drafted in for the crucial outing of the age-group side, who are looking to get back into the top tier for next season, and after a number of opportunities he has found the net for the first time in any Leeds United game.
Hay reported via Twitter on Monday night: “GOAL! Rutter stabs one in, Leeds been well on top for 20 minutes. 1-0.”
Start?
It is hardly the news that is going to get a tense Leeds United fanbase jumping for joy when the senior side is still staring down relegation to the Championship, but any positive step is better than nothing.
Across 10 Premier League outings and a pair of appearances in the FA Cup Rutter has gone goalless, and for so much money to be spent for so little production has rankled greatly with supporters.
Victor Orta has subsequently departed over Javi Gracia’s sacking, but if the Whites go down his policy of spending on potential rather than immediate impact will come back to bite the club.
The young Frenchman had a goal ruled out in a highly-unfortunate 2-0 defeat at Fulham on 28 February as Gracia’s side were dumped out of the FA Cup, and the club might wonder what could have been if he had got the benefit of that confidence boost.
His £35.5million record move [Sky Sports, 15 January] clearly hasn’t worked out yet, and even useful input for the under-21s won’t come anywhere near to repaying that fee.
But if he can translate some sort of a contribution for Paco Gallardo’s side into a belated start for the first-team in time to have a say in the relegation battle it could still be crucial.
Clutching at straws perhaps, but with two games remaining and the danger still great it is all anyone on the outside of the club can currently do to maintain hope of late, late survival once more.
In other Leeds United news, a big-name manager snubbed the Whites and then took a job elsewhere in the Premier League.