BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
FALKIRK boss Paul Hartley has backed Alex Jakubiak to make the grade in England as the on-loan Watford ace lights up the Ladbrokes Championship.
The Bairns boss is adamant they masterminded a major coup by securing the Scotland under-19 international until the end of the season – and that has been underlined by a run of five goals in his last four matches.
Following underwhelming loan spells with the likes of Oxford, Fleetwood Town and Wycombe, Hartley reckons Jakubiak is finally showing the promise which earned him a contract with the Hornets until the summer of 2020.
And he sees no reason the front-man cannot return to Vicarage Road aiming to add to his one senior appearance for Watford to date, after a beneficial stint in north of the border.
Hartley said: “Alex has been a really good signing for us. We had him up to have a look just before Christmas and we saw his quality. The only question was whether we would be able to get him – we weren’t sure if we could.
“He has had a few loan spells and things just haven’t quite worked out. But now he is getting game-time, enjoying that responsibility and scoring goals. He is already a fans’ favourite and hopefully he can keep that up.
“We have given him a freedom and a license to play, which is important for a young player, and it looks like he is enjoying his football.
“It’s never easy to get players from English Premier League clubs and you wonder how they will perform, but he has come here and fitted in really well. He is a smashing boy to work with, nothing fancy – comes in, does his work and produces on match-days.
“I definitely think he has the quality to succeed down south. He is still young and learning, but this period will do him the world of good – playing against a variety of players, experiencing a different style of football and pitches. Nothing has fazed him and he can handle any occasion.”
