Dane Scarlett ‘influential’ as Tottenham loanee delivers big Ipswich performance
The Tottenham loanee Dane Scarlett puts on a “big performance” to deny Wayne Rooney, calling him “influential.”
Young Dane Scarlett of Tottenham played a small role in Ipswich Town’s Saturday comeback victory as they drew 2-2 at Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham City.
On Saturday, Dane Scarlett’s loan stint at Ipswich Town came to life as he was instrumental in the Championship’s top team salvaging a point against Birmingham City. Wayne Rooney was denied his first victory as Birmingham manager despite a late comeback by the Tractor Boys, who were behind 2-0 after 51 minutes due to goals from Jay Stansfield and an own goal by Cameron Burgess.
In an attempt to seal a victory over St Andrew’s, Town manager Kieran McKenna made four substitutions in the final 20 minutes as he looked to get his team back into the game. Scarlett, who was brought on in the 72nd minute, played a significant role in Marcus Harness, another substitute, cutting the deficit seven minutes later.
After receiving the ball on the left side of the penalty area, the young player made a great stepover to get past Cody Drameh and shoot the ball across goal to Freddie Ladapo. Harness was there to smash home the rebound after John Ruddy parried the striker’s effort from close range.
After ten minutes, the forward scored his second goal of the match, and Scarlett was involved in the vital equalizer once more. This time, Omari Hutchinson collected a brilliant pass from the Tottenham academy graduate between two Birmingham players, and Harness finished it with a shot.
Scarlett has played a few minutes at the end of games this season, but this was by far his best game while wearing an Ipswich shirt, and Town supporters were impressed. After the game, the team posted some pictures of Scarlett on Instagram, calling his eighteen-minute cameo appearance “influential”.
Scarlett received a score of seven out of ten in the East Anglian Daily Times’ player ratings from the game because of his crucial contribution to the draw. Harness emerged victorious with eight points, the only person to score higher than the 19-year-old.
They wrote: “Very impressive. Excellent deception and cross to create the opening goal for Town, and a beautiful lob to find Hutchinson open down the right for the equalizer. I’m hoping he can move on from this.”
Scarlett received praise from Ipswich manager McKenna as well, who gave credit to all of his substitutes for coming on and turning the tide of the match in their favor. “McKenna gave credit to all the substitutes who played,” the Ipswich Star reported. “That begins with them making the necessary preparations and adopting the appropriate mindset when they realize they won’t be starting.
“We attempt to plan out any adjustments we might need to make depending on whether we’re pursuing the game or finishing it out. The boys all made a great impression and were fairly at ease with the slots they would be entering.
“It’s great for Marcus [Harness] to score two goals to support his goal last week. It’s fantastic for the team spirit and the realization that the task we have ahead of us this year will require the entire team.
Scarlett has had to be extremely patient and wait for his chance to be included in the starting lineup for Ipswich since moving on loan from Tottenham. He currently plays a bit-part role for the club. Ipswich’s rapid start and the excellent play of fellow attackers George Hirst, Nathan Broadhead, Conor Chaplin, and Hutchinson haven’t exactly helped his case. He has mostly played the last ten or fifteen minutes at the end of games so far.
But on Saturday, his loan spell at St Andrew’s came to life, and as a result, he may now get more playing time. They play Rotherham United on Tuesday night. Everyone at Tottenham is hoping that will be the case as Scarlett looks to advance his game and grow as a player during his time at Portman Road before making his way back to N17 in the summer.
