BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
BIRTHDAY BOY Kudus Oyenuga has revealed he knew he would find the net against Falkirk – thanks to a prediction from his girlfriend.
The former Dundee United front-man, who turned 24 on Saturday, was the unlikely hero for Jim Duffy’s side, climbing from the bench in the second half to convert a looping header beyond Danny Rogers after meeting a super Aidan Nesbitt cross.
Given Oyenuga had not found the net since a 2-0 win over Dumbarton in November, his intervention may have raised a few eyebrows. However, he had a feeling fate was on his side after a pre-match pep talk from his other half.
“That’s the best birthday I’ve had,” smiled Oyenuga. “My missus actually said ‘I think you’ve got a birthday goal in you today’, so I thought, if I got on, then maybe I would score.
“She predicted it! Luckily enough my wish came true – it was a great birthday present.
“The gaffer has a great squad, and plenty of options to come on, and we are all desperate to play, I was just happy to get on the pitch and do my bit to help the boys and contribute.”
The victory moved Morton level on points with the Bairns in second spot in the Championship, while they are only seven behind Hibernian – with a game in hand and two fixtures against the capital club in the next three weeks.
While a tall order for the unfancied Ton, an unlikely tilt at the title is not out of the question, especially given Hibs’ habitual slips against lesser opponents.
Oyenuga, however, has more modest aims, insisting several months battling a persistent hamstring complaint have left him hungry to simply play for than five minutes at a time.
He was afforded 25 minutes on Saturday and richly repaid Duffy.
“You should have seen me when the gaffer told me to get warmed up on Saturday…I was off like a shot,” he laughed. “I said to the boys the other week ‘I just want longer on that pitch!’
“The gaffer was easing me in with five minutes or ten minutes, but I just wanted longer to get out there and show what I could do. I’m just glad I did the business.”