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Blackburn striker heading for the exit

11:03am Thursday 22nd May 2008

comment Comments (25)   Have your say »

By Andy Neild »

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.

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Michael, Darwen says...
11:39am Thu 22 May 08

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

Daniel, Spain says...
11:53am 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 chance
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.

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.

Crazy Rover, Up North says...
12:27pm Thu 22 May 08

Posted by: Daniel, Spain on 11:53am today
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 chance
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. 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.
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 chance
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.

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.

Sale of Bentley - £15M

Bernard, Ramsbottom says...
12:33pm Thu 22 May 08

Maceo didn't seize the chances he did get. With the quality of strikers ahead of him in the squad, it was always going to be difficult, but the horrific memories of that Coventry game haven't helped his cause.

snakeaaa, blackburn says...
1:12pm Thu 22 May 08

with man utd winning the campions league does that mean that it opens another uefa cup spot. please let me know thanks.

Jamie, wrexham says...
1:15pm Thu 22 May 08

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.

pete, Blackburn says...
1:17pm Thu 22 May 08

Maceo couldn't hit a barn door in training.

Local P!sstaker, says...
1:55pm Thu 22 May 08

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.

Lars, Denmark says...
2:02pm Thu 22 May 08

Jamie wrote:
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.
Agreed on the topics.

And if its true with the "full" navy blue shirt I think it would be very nice - depending on design and sponsor logo integration (and the Bet24 logo stands as a warning!!)

I would certainly get me one of those "full" navy blue shirts.

And I would definatly NOT get me one of the yellow ones though :-) All kinds of bugs would be crawling all over me!

Local dinglespotter, Laughing at Owen's excuses says...
2:08pm Thu 22 May 08

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.
How did the Andy Cole negotiations go little dingle?

LOL.

Still, there's bound to be some free transfer 35 year old Scottish journeyman to take his place!

And you wonder why no-one's heard of you lot!

TC, Blackburn says...
2:14pm Thu 22 May 08

i dont think anyone can really have an opinion about him after one performance. Yes it was coventry but there were more than just righters that performed well below their standards that afternoon.

For the money we paid for him i would like to have seen hughes give him a season loan spell at a Chapionship side. Any player needs a run of games to guage his true worth.

I think we have been lucky up front this season with Rocky being virtually ever present and then having the backup of roberts, benni and derbyshire....righte
r's has just nnever been given a decent chance.

Anyways...in hughes we trust....

Finger Bang, Blackburn says...
2:17pm Thu 22 May 08

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.

mr merde, Leyland says...
2:40pm Thu 22 May 08

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.
Mark Hughes is fat?????

Mr Local Pisstaker is probably sitting out on the porch in his long Johns scratching his gut and eaing grit 'n' hogjowells.

jamie armchair fan, wrexham says...
3:30pm Thu 22 May 08

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

wes, highercroft says...
3:37pm Thu 22 May 08

jamie armchair fan wrote:
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
what a sh**thead

Martin, USA says...
3:44pm Thu 22 May 08

I'm sure that, had Rigters shown any kind of promise in training/reserves, Hughes would have kept him around and maybe loaned him to a Championship side, as happened with Derbyshire a two or three years back.

I'm sure Sparky's judgment hasn't been made solely on his first-team performances in games like Coventry - if he did, there'd have been a few others on their way after that kind of performance!

It's a shame it didn't work out for him at Rovers, but at the end of the day, it didn't cost us a fortune and if we can get our money back, then there's nothing really lost.

Local P!sstaker, says...
3:50pm Thu 22 May 08

Finger Bang wrote:
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.
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.

TC, Blackburn says...
4:24pm Thu 22 May 08

Local P!sstaker wrote:
Finger Bang wrote:
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.
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.
Championship whipping boys? We didnt play Burnley soft lad.

We can write off £350,000 due to our lofty position in the best league in the world.

You lot, on the other hand, would struggle to write off £350,000 lira.

When does your state of the art Bowling alley going to be finished? Rumour has it you get a season ticket for life if you have 1 game on the lanes.....sounds like an offer of a lifetime that.

Why oh why wont Andy Cole and Unsworth sign a contract? It be well good at Turf Bowl next season!

CRAIG, DARWEN says...
4:44pm Thu 22 May 08

I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN WE SHOULD HAVE SAVED THE £350,000 WE SPENT ON HIM AND BOUGHT SUPERSTAR KYLE LAFFERTY (OVER RATED HEALY MAKES HIM LOOK GOOD FOR NORTHERN IRELAND ). MIND YOU HOW MUCH DID YOU WASTE ON AKINBIYI THE BUTT OF JOKES ON SOCCER AM

Dinglespotter, says...
4:49pm Thu 22 May 08

Love the way that dingleboy here can't even admit that he's a claret!

Ha ha, what a pus$y!

mike, says...
5:11pm Thu 22 May 08

Local P!sstaker wrote:
Finger Bang wrote:
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.
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.
So why would the rest of lancashire laugh at rovers ahead of burnley?

U seem a little jelous of us?

palace 5 burnley 0, says...
5:13pm Thu 22 May 08

Local P!sstaker wrote:
Finger Bang wrote:
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.
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.
how did burnley get on against crystal palace?

Laurence Tero, The Burn says...
5:27pm Thu 22 May 08

I don't hate Burnley - I pity the fools.
Suckas!
Murdoch - quit your jibba jabba and stop talking to some invisable dog!

js, padiham says...
7:40am Fri 23 May 08

i am not a racist but the sooner we get all these foriegners out of our football teams british football will once again flourish

mike, says...
10:56am Fri 23 May 08

js wrote:
i am not a racist but the sooner we get all these foriegners out of our football teams british football will once again flourish
yes, and the premiership will becume the most dull and boring league in europe.

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