Roker Roundup: Ovie Ejaria quits Rangers & Yann M’Vila talks all about stint at Sunderland

Loan roundup

Despite Darlington going down 3-2 at National League North leaders Chorley, it was a successful debut for Sunderland loanee Andrew Nelson who scored both of the Quakers goals.

Nelson started the game, with another Sunderland youngster Williams Kokolo also in the starting line-up, and he scored both goals in similar fashion after getting through on goal and dinking the ball over the home goalkeeper. Unfortunately for Darlington, Chorley scored three times in between Nelson’s goals to clinch all three points.

Despite that defeat, Darlington manager Tommy Wright was delighted with Nelson:

You can see what Andrew Nelson is going to bring to us, I thought he was outstanding.

Asked about his finishes, Wright praised the striker’s technique:

It’s a skill and it shows the lad’s confidence. He hasn’t played much football at all, that’s his second 90 minutes in three months.

He’s looking sharp, we knew that on Thursday and he’s took that sharpness into today.

I’m delighted with got him in the first place but that he’s made such an impact from the start.

Elliot Embleton had another good game, as he set up the winning goal for Grimsby Town in their 2-1 League Two victory over Swindon Town.

Wes Thomas gave Grimsby the lead in the 26th minute when he converted a penalty that was won thanks to a Swindon handball from Embleton’s ball into the box, but that lead last only two minutes thanks to Matt Taylor’s well taken 25-yard free kick.

Just after the hour mark, Embleton went on a run before striking a terrific effort from distance that was well kept out by Lawrence Vigouroux in the Swindon goal but he could only palm it into the path of Thomas who slid home the winner.

Max Stryjek was on the losing side for Eastleigh, as Stewart Donald’s former club were knocked out of the FA Trophy thanks to a 2-1 defeat at Hemel Hempstead Town.

The deadlock wasn’t broken until the 69th minute when Steve Cawley gave Stryjek no chance, Hemel Hempstead doubled their advantage from the spot in the 81st minute and despite Eastleigh pulling a goal back four minutes later, it wasn’t enough to stop the home side from going through to the next round.

Connor Shields came on with 23 minutes remaining for Alloa Athletic in their game at Partick Thistle, with the scores delicately poised at 2-2 but despite a handful of half chances for either side that’s how the game finished.

In Ligue 1, Lamine Kone played the full game but couldn’t prevent Strasbourg losing 2-1 at Reims.

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Ejaria ends Rangers loan

After Rangers manager Steven Gerrard revealed that Ovie Ejaria was unsettled at Ibrox, the Liverpool youngster has terminated his loan deal with the Scottish Premiership side.

The former Sunderland loanee was reportedly fed up of the ‘rough and tumble’ style of football in Scotland and will return to Liverpool immediately, with Rangers putting out an official statement that confirmed his departure:

RANGERS and Liverpool have agreed to terminate Ovie Ejaria’s Ibrox loan period. Ovie will be returning to Liverpool immediately.

The midfield player has not settled in Scotland and wishes to continue his career back with his parent club.

Ovie arrived at Ibrox in June and played twenty-eight matches including eleven times in the Europa League, scoring twice for the Gers.

Rangers thanks him for his commitment and efforts. Everyone at the club wishes him well for his future.

Rangers also thanks Liverpool for their assistance.

Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images

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M’Vila on Saint-Etienne’s similarity to Sunderland

Former Sunderland favourite Yann M’Vila is having a successful time in Ligue 1 with Saint-Etienne, as he and Wahbi Khazri have led the club to sixth place in the table.

In an interview with Le Parisien, M’Vila was asked what made Saint-Etienne special in France and he revealed that it’s something that he also experienced in Sunderland:

His love for his club. It’s a city that lives at the same pace as its team. I knew this in Sunderland. A place where football is one of the most important things in the city. As soon as you are born, you are for the ASSE.

I know it can be the same in other cities but here it is even stronger. In Saint-Etienne, I know what it means to have a people behind you. When you lose, people tell you that they are sad but supporting you. It’s never mean. It comes from the heart. It’s love.

Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

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Sartori discusses Uruguayan football

Juan Sartori has discussed his hope of using Sunderland as a gateway for young Uruguayan footballers and while doing an interview promoting his political career, he discussed his passion for football.

Speaking to La Diaria, Sartori said football is a passion that he will always have and revealed that he would look to improve the sport in Uruguay should he be elected as president:

Soccer is a passion that I will always have. I say yes and in what way: soccer has to have proposals for government, for me it is an important issue for the Uruguayan state and society. I do not know well in the other programs how it is, but in my program there are going to be very concrete proposals on how to develop the football industry in Uruguay, because it is much more than some clubs, it is a potential that we have as a country that is extraordinary, I would like to give you a little thought and proposals.

When asked what those thoughts were, Sartori asked for more time due to the quick nature of his entry into politics:

Well, always the same...Give me 30 days. The others started 20 or 30 years ago.

When asked why he needed more time, when he owns Sunderland, Sartori again mentioned the possibility of exporting Uruguayan football talent abroad:

Today, the raw material we generate in Uruguay, which is why we carry it inside, which is inexplicable, is something that is in great demand. The great clubs of the world need people with our claws and talent. What happens that there is demand and that here there are so many talented players that do not arrive? How to connect the talent we have in Uruguay with the opportunities that are outside? That’s where you have to work.