Johnson Rises
Farmer Bunnies inducted 18 year-old Rancher Rabbits trainee
Gary Johnson to the main squad today, some months after he had been expected to make the leap. The youth coaches were however of the opinion that he could benefit from more playing time at that level, although reviews have not entirely borne that out so far.
"We had very high hopes of Gary, but he hit a bit of a roadblock midway through his academy career." Rabbits scout Ooi Long Ming explained. "There's still a very good prospect there, but he has some catching up to do with the seniors to make it."
It was easy to see where the anticipation had come from, watching early clips of the long-haired teenager zipping past older boys in his first months with the Rabbits, where he had proven himself entirely capable of playing anywhere in the outfield - but not quite excelling anywhere. "Which makes him a natural midfielder." Ooi quipped.
With Johnson taking Number Sixteen with the Buns, his former Rabbits Number Eight shirt has already been adopted by new 15 year-old recruit Hussein Khairat, who does know exactly where he wants to play: on the right wing. There was no less hype for Khairat than Johnson had, and from the buzz in the neighbourhood, he is good for it.
Over in Jurong, Lee Li Cheng has already walked that path, as the Chicken Wings wingman announced his professional eligibility aged seventeen. "Lee is a great dribbler who is willing to track back." his scout Lim Hock Puay said. "Not too many like him at his age, especially when you add the maturity too."
