Michael Ngoo draws Ricardo Fuller praise from McGlynn

HEARTS manager John McGlynn says on-loan Michael Ngoo reminds him of former Tynecastle favourite Ricardo Fuller after watching the Liverpool striker enhance his cult hero status at the weekend.

The towering Anfield reserve striker notched the equalising goal and converted a spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out League Cup semi-final victory over Inverness just 48 hours after agreeing to turn out for Hearts until the end of the season.

After impressing during the 1-0 midweek victory over Dundee, Ngoo then scored a fine solo effort in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Ross County.

McGlynn, who coached the youth team during his first spell at Tynecastle, recalls how the supporters took to current Charlton striker Fuller during the 2001/02 campaign when the Jamaican scored ten goals in 29 appearances on loan from Tivoli Gardens.

McGlynn said: “It helps when you score a goal in your first game. Over the years I’ve seen many players come and go, you have your Ricardo Fullers and big Michael is a similar player in many ways. Ricardo Fuller leaves then Mark De Vries comes in. You always think you’re going to miss him and then someone else comes along.”

Ngoo, who looks to have found little difficulty adapting to the SPL after playing reserve football in England, was one of eight players aged 21 and under to feature for Hearts – including fellow Liverpool loanee Danny Wilson. However, McGlynn says the guiding influence of the senior professionals cannot be underestimated. He said: “We don’t want to create a divide between the younger boys and the older guys. The experienced guys at the back are the rock of the team, Andy Webster and Marius Zaliukas.”