Where's His Cutting Edge?

He isn't the kind of winger who blows past defenders on the outside. He's always been more of a wide playmaker, someone who shifts the ball and finds half a yard to create chances. Trouble is, the end product and effort just haven't been there lately, and fans are losing patience.

Not a bomber down the flank, a creator instead. To be fair, you can see why people expect fireworks — modern full-backs are frighteningly quick — but this player's game is more subtle. Those crosses for Chermiti against Hearts and Celtic showed he can go outside when needed. It wasn’t a 30-yard sprint to the byline; it was a clever shift of the ball and a precise delivery. That pattern of cutting inside on his left and looking to shoot or set up chances is what he’s built on.

Application matters as much as ability. The frustrating thing is not that he lacks the technical tools, it's that he doesn’t seem to be showing them consistently. Supporters will forgive a dry spell if they see graft. You get onside with the crowd when you press, track back and put in the hard yards. Right now there’s a sense he’s not doing that often enough. Is it match fitness? A dip in confidence? Maybe. But the truth is, we need to see the effort on the pitch.

What would restore faith? More of the things he naturally does well: cut inside at pace, commit defenders, and deliver decisive final balls or shots. He doesn't have to become someone he's not, but he does need to show end product and consistency. A pre-season could help, give him sharpness and regain some of that early-career drive. Equally, if those signs don’t appear, fans will understandably wonder whether the club should move on — nobody wants players sitting on ability without showing it.

Still, there’s time to turn it around. We all want to see the best of our players. Put the graft in, add the final ball, and the noise from the terraces changes quick enough.

Written by Angus1812: 25 April 2026