ANDY KEOGH HAS said that Usain Bolt’s pursuit of a career as a footballer in Australia has had a negative impact on other professionals in the A-League since the Olympic gold medalist signed for Central Coast Mariners.
The Ireland striker has played for Perth Glory since the summer of 2014, following a decade in England at clubs including Leeds United, Wolves and Millwall.
The Dubliner said that Bolt would struggle to make it as a professional player in the A-League, with the Australian FA currently working to try and help fund a contract for the sprinter following a trial period.
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Keogh earned 30 caps for Ireland between 2007 and 2012. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
“It’s nice to have the attention on the A-League but him playing in the A-League, that’s not for me,” Keogh told Off the Ball.
“For me, he’s not going to be able to make it [as a footballer]. He’s shown a bit [of potential] but it’s a little bit of a kick in the teeth to the professionals that are in the league.”
“From what I’ve seen, it’s like a trampoline, so I’m not too sure,” the striker said when asked about Bolt’s first touch.
The Jamaican retired from athletics last year, but Keogh believes that offering Bolt a professional contract would be “farcical.”
“If there’s someone who genuinely thinks he’d be a good football addition, I don’t think they should be in a position to make those calls,” he said.
“It’s fine from a marketing point of view but from a football perspective, it’s a little bit farcical.
“He says he’s chasing a dream of becoming a professional footballer, yet he’s come out with quotes about he wants ‘x’ amount when — if you’re chasing the dream — it’s not about the money and he’s obviously contradicted himself massively there.”
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Andy Keogh says Usain Bolt's first touch is 'like a trampoline' after arrival in Australia
ANDY KEOGH HAS said that Usain Bolt’s pursuit of a career as a footballer in Australia has had a negative impact on other professionals in the A-League since the Olympic gold medalist signed for Central Coast Mariners.
The Ireland striker has played for Perth Glory since the summer of 2014, following a decade in England at clubs including Leeds United, Wolves and Millwall.
The Dubliner said that Bolt would struggle to make it as a professional player in the A-League, with the Australian FA currently working to try and help fund a contract for the sprinter following a trial period.
“It’s nice to have the attention on the A-League but him playing in the A-League, that’s not for me,” Keogh told Off the Ball.
“For me, he’s not going to be able to make it [as a footballer]. He’s shown a bit [of potential] but it’s a little bit of a kick in the teeth to the professionals that are in the league.”
“From what I’ve seen, it’s like a trampoline, so I’m not too sure,” the striker said when asked about Bolt’s first touch.
The Jamaican retired from athletics last year, but Keogh believes that offering Bolt a professional contract would be “farcical.”
“If there’s someone who genuinely thinks he’d be a good football addition, I don’t think they should be in a position to make those calls,” he said.
“It’s fine from a marketing point of view but from a football perspective, it’s a little bit farcical.
“He says he’s chasing a dream of becoming a professional footballer, yet he’s come out with quotes about he wants ‘x’ amount when — if you’re chasing the dream — it’s not about the money and he’s obviously contradicted himself massively there.”
Subscribe to our new podcast, Heineken Rugby Weekly on The42, here:
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A-League Andy Keogh bounce bounce Jamaica Olympics Perth Glory trampoline Usain Bolt