BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
CHRIS ERSKINE reckons Mathias Pogba is already sick of talking about his superstar brother.
However, the Partick Thistle talisman admits he is fully expecting a visit from the World’s most expensive footballer.
Mathias’ twin brother Florentin Pogba, who is a highly-rated midfielder in his own right, starring for St Ettiene in Ligue 1, recently made the trip to Glasgow to catch-up with the Jags striker.
However, there is likely to be more hype if Paul decides to make the short journey up the M6 from Manchester to Firhill.
And Erskine has sympathy for Mathias, who is coming to terms with the attention which comes with being the brother of an £89 million Manchester United superstar.
“When the rumours were there about Paul signing for Man United the boys were asking him about it, but he must get sick of it,” said Erskine. “So nobody really mentions it at Thistle.
“He really must get fed up, every second question must be about his brother. But a few of the boys were saying Paul has been up to watch training a while ago, so I’m sure he’ll be back again.
“His twin brother [Florentin] was here a few weeks ago, and I’m sure that Paul will turn up at some point.”
Speaking as he attended a tiling course organised by PFA Scotland, part of an ongoing campaign to ensure players are prepared for a career after football, he added: “I don’t have a rich brother like Mathias [Pogba], so it’s just one of those things I have to think about!”
However, retirement seems a long time away for the 29-year-old, who has enjoyed a new lease of life since returning to Partick Thistle, scoring three goals in five matches since signing on a Bosman from Dundee United.
And, while he is thriving at a club where he feels at home, Erskine also believes manager Alan Archibald has matured into a formidable Premiership manager as he embarks on his third season as a top-flight boss.
The burgeoning confidence was underlined when he had a pop at BBC pundit Pat Bonner, slamming “I don’t think he even knows where Partick is” after the former Celtic goalkeeper had tipped the Jags for relegation
“He’s just saying what he feels and that’s the way it should always be,” Erskine continued. “He’s saying what he thinks is best for our club and he’s not holding back on it.
Presence
“I think Alan definitely matured as a manager, that’s for sure. When Jackie [McNamara] left and he got the job he was kind of thrust into it, whether he wanted it or not.
“He’s obviously got a presence about him from when he was playing, and you can tell from being on the training pitch with him that he’s definitely going to be a top manager.
“He’s doing things the right way, and he’s obviously taking the club in the right direction.”
Thistle started their Premiership campaign with a fine 2-0 triumph over Inverness, but suffered a set-back with a BetFred Cup exit against Dundee United.
And, with their next league match against Celtic postponed, much to Archibald’s fury, they have been left to lament that defeat for a fortnight before finally getting back to action this weekend against Aberdeen.
“Any time you have a game like that you’re looking forward to your next game as quickly as you can to put it right,” he added. “But obviously our game at the weekend was called off.
“That wasn’t ideal for us but I’m sure we’ll carry that desire into this weekend at Aberdeen.”
