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11:03am Thursday 22nd May 2008
BLACKBURN Rovers are willing to listen to offers for Maceo Rigters - less than a year after manager Mark Hughes snapped him up from NAC Breda.
The 24-year-old striker, who was one of the stars at last summer's European Under 21 Championships, has struggled to make a similar impact in English football, having made just seven appearances for Rovers during what proved to be a deeply frustrating debut season.
Now Hughes is prepared to let the frontman leave, providing the club can recoup the £350,000 it cost to bring him to Ewood 11 months ago.
A Rovers source told the Lancashire Telegraph: "We are willing to listen to offers for Maceo.
"His agent has told us Maceo wants to be playing regular first-team football and, because we can't guarantee him that, we would consider letting him move on."
It appeared as though Hughes had pulled off a major coup last summer when he beat a clutch of clubs, including Newcastle United and Celtic, to Rigters' signature, just weeks after the player had set the European Under 21 Championships alight with a series of eye-catching displays.
In total, the live-wire striker bagged five goals during the tournament, including a spectacular overhead effort against England, to land the Golden Boot, and his prolific partnership with team-mate Ryan Babel was one of the key factors behind Holland's title triumph.
However, Rigters has since failed to repeat that goalscoring form at Rovers, where he has found himself fifth in the pecking order for striking places behind Roque Santa Cruz, Jason Roberts, Benni McCarthy and Matt Derbyshire.
In fact at one point last season, Hughes even agreed to send him out to Norwich City on loan, although his spell at Carrow Road was crudely cut short by a hamstring injury after just two substitute appearances.
But, while Rigters might not have had the impact Hughes was hoping for, Rovers could still end up making a small profit on their investment, with several clubs in the Championship, as well as his native Holland, likely to be interested in his services.
Daniel, Spain says...
11:53am Thu 22 May 08
Michael wrote:Maybe, but it's up to him to make an impact in training, catch the managers eye. He clearly hasn't done otherwise Mark would have played him.
Before anyone judges Maceo think it is fair to say the lad hasn't had a fair crack at letting us see what he can do. Seeing him last summer playing in the under 21 tournament it is clear the boy has talent just a shame Hughes never gave him much of a chance
Crazy Rover, Up North says...
12:27pm Thu 22 May 08
Michael wrote: Before anyone judges Maceo think it is fair to say the lad hasn't had a fair crack at letting us see what he can do. Seeing him last summer playing in the under 21 tournament it is clear the boy has talent just a shame Hughes never gave him much of a chanceMaybe, but it's up to him to make an impact in training, catch the managers eye. He clearly hasn't done otherwise Mark would have played him. Interesting we've been linked with the lads from Espanyol, undoubted quality, but given the price range how can we afford them? Probably just paper talk as i can't see us forking out 8M on anyone, unless Mark has a more substantial kitty than what we are aware of. Would have loved us to sign the Dortmund right back on a free, but when Liverpool came in it pretty much ruled us out.
Bernard, Ramsbottom says...
12:33pm Thu 22 May 08
snakeaaa, blackburn says...
1:12pm Thu 22 May 08
Jamie, wrexham says...
1:15pm Thu 22 May 08
pete, Blackburn says...
1:17pm Thu 22 May 08
Local P!sstaker, says...
1:55pm Thu 22 May 08
Lars, Denmark says...
2:02pm Thu 22 May 08
Jamie wrote:Agreed on the topics.
When we first signed him i was pretty exited about it (i thought he might be a bit like Babel) Although I havent seen any of him this season i prob agree with Daniel and Michaels views, yes he didnt seize his chances but again every striker needs a decent run before we see the best of them. The things im looking forward to this summer are - Release date of the new shirts Reading about some new signings Closure on the Bentley situation lastly watching a couple of friendlys . Please LET print me some stories about this as 3 stories about Tugays contract extension in 5 days isnt realy doing it for me. Here's a gift of info for you all tho (well anyone whose intersted anyway) Blackburn are launching 3 kits next season, the first choice away shirt will be Navy Blue/navy shorts, for fixtures such as fulham Sunderland spurs etc. The 3rd choice kit will be yellow with black shorts.
Local dinglespotter, Laughing at Owen's excuses says...
2:08pm Thu 22 May 08
Local P!sstaker wrote:How did the Andy Cole negotiations go little dingle?
Another little gem unearthed by the fat taff. He was a hero on here when he signed. 12 months later he can't hit a barn door. And you wonder why everyone laughs at you lot.
TC, Blackburn says...
2:14pm Thu 22 May 08
Finger Bang, Blackburn says...
2:17pm Thu 22 May 08
Local P!sstaker wrote:You're right - what a waste of a whopping £350,000!
Another little gem unearthed by the fat taff. He was a hero on here when he signed. 12 months later he can't hit a barn door.
And you wonder why everyone laughs at you lot.
mr merde, Leyland says...
2:40pm Thu 22 May 08
Local P!sstaker wrote:Mark Hughes is fat?????
Another little gem unearthed by the fat taff. He was a hero on here when he signed. 12 months later he can't hit a barn door. And you wonder why everyone laughs at you lot.
jamie armchair fan, wrexham says...
3:30pm Thu 22 May 08
wes, highercroft says...
3:37pm Thu 22 May 08
jamie armchair fan wrote:what a sh**thead
hes a good player,i played darts with him last sunday at my uncle johns,he hates how scruffy blackburn is,i know im boring but arnt all loser blackburn fans,i support man u,rovers,real madrid,bayern and lincoln city..up all the lot in no perticular order
Martin, USA says...
3:44pm Thu 22 May 08
Local P!sstaker, says...
3:50pm Thu 22 May 08
Finger Bang wrote:If he had saved that 350k he would have something to spend now, cos he'll get nowt off fat Jacks lot this season.They're Southampton fans.
Local P!sstaker wrote:You're right - what a waste of a whopping £350,000!
Another little gem unearthed by the fat taff. He was a hero on here when he signed. 12 months later he can't hit a barn door.
And you wonder why everyone laughs at you lot.
When oh when is Hughes going to spend some money wisely for once eh?
What a dingle clown.
TC, Blackburn says...
4:24pm Thu 22 May 08
Local P!sstaker wrote:Championship whipping boys? We didnt play Burnley soft lad.
Finger Bang wrote:If he had saved that 350k he would have something to spend now, cos he'll get nowt off fat Jacks lot this season.They're Southampton fans. Keep punching above your weight small boys. He only played against Coventry, expensive day for you that. By the way how did you get on against the championship whipping boys? Still with the rest of Lancashire, laughing at you lot.Local P!sstaker wrote: Another little gem unearthed by the fat taff. He was a hero on here when he signed. 12 months later he can't hit a barn door. And you wonder why everyone laughs at you lot.You're right - what a waste of a whopping £350,000! When oh when is Hughes going to spend some money wisely for once eh? What a dingle clown.
CRAIG, DARWEN says...
4:44pm Thu 22 May 08
Dinglespotter, says...
4:49pm Thu 22 May 08
mike, says...
5:11pm Thu 22 May 08
Local P!sstaker wrote:So why would the rest of lancashire laugh at rovers ahead of burnley?
Finger Bang wrote:If he had saved that 350k he would have something to spend now, cos he'll get nowt off fat Jacks lot this season.They're Southampton fans. Keep punching above your weight small boys. He only played against Coventry, expensive day for you that. By the way how did you get on against the championship whipping boys? Still with the rest of Lancashire, laughing at you lot.Local P!sstaker wrote: Another little gem unearthed by the fat taff. He was a hero on here when he signed. 12 months later he can't hit a barn door. And you wonder why everyone laughs at you lot.You're right - what a waste of a whopping £350,000! When oh when is Hughes going to spend some money wisely for once eh? What a dingle clown.
palace 5 burnley 0, says...
5:13pm Thu 22 May 08
Local P!sstaker wrote:how did burnley get on against crystal palace?
Finger Bang wrote:If he had saved that 350k he would have something to spend now, cos he'll get nowt off fat Jacks lot this season.They're Southampton fans. Keep punching above your weight small boys. He only played against Coventry, expensive day for you that. By the way how did you get on against the championship whipping boys? Still with the rest of Lancashire, laughing at you lot.Local P!sstaker wrote: Another little gem unearthed by the fat taff. He was a hero on here when he signed. 12 months later he can't hit a barn door. And you wonder why everyone laughs at you lot.You're right - what a waste of a whopping £350,000! When oh when is Hughes going to spend some money wisely for once eh? What a dingle clown.
Laurence Tero, The Burn says...
5:27pm Thu 22 May 08
js, padiham says...
7:40am Fri 23 May 08
mike, says...
10:56am Fri 23 May 08
js wrote:yes, and the premiership will becume the most dull and boring league in europe.
i am not a racist but the sooner we get all these foriegners out of our football teams british football will once again flourish
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Michael, Darwen says...
11:39am Thu 22 May 08