Source: FOOTYMAD
Alexei Affair Could be Over Sooner Than Expected
Alexei Eremenko has taken the chance to make a name for himself. with Killie Kilmarnock manager Mixu Paatelainen can see a great future for Alexei Eremenko after taking Scottish football by storm in the space of just a few months. The Finland international is on loan from Ukrainian outfit Metalist Kharkiv and has established himself as a crucial part of the Killie team. It is not just his manager who has been impressed by Eremenko. He has been named Premier League player for November and, as far as Paatelainen is concerned, the sky is the limit. He said: "I think he can play at the top level, the highest. He is not known for his athleticism but his technical ability is so good that he very rarely loses the ball. He moves the ball quickly and he knows what he's doing. Above all his awareness is excellent. Any top team, playing at the highest level, would like players like him because of his ability to make things happen."Kilmarnock could lose his services before the end of his loan period if him sooner if Metalist Kharkiv opt to sell him in January. But Paatelainen insists he can have no complaints if such a scenario happens, because he urged the player to put himself in the shop window when he came to Rugby Park. He added: "That was the whole idea behind Alexei coming here, that's how I sold it to him.I told him to come here, put himself in the shop window and show people what he can do. He has done exactly that and, at the same time, he is doing a good job for us and making things happen for us."Asked what happens if Eremenko does leave next month, Paatelainen went on: "I have players in mind, although he would be very difficult to replace if it happens in January. We don't have funds to go out and buy players so it would be difficult to replace him. But we are not a one-man team, we have plenty of players who can play well, players who have improved immensely this season. So, even if Alexei goes, I am quietly confident we can keep the standards high."Speaking of his award, Eremenko said: "It's a big thing for me to win this award. Winning any award is a good thing but especially this one. I have only been here for three months so to get this award is a big thing. I have to say thanks to the manager and my team-mates because, without them, I wouldn't have it." Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
