Rockin’ Robbie

Photo: Lee Dickenson

JUMPING FOR JOY... Robbie Simpson can’t hide his delight after scoring his first goal for Athletic in the FA Cup tie at home to Burton Albion.

On-loan forward Simpson ‘loving it’ at Latics
AFTER playing another starring role for Athletic, loan ranger Robbie Simpson confirmed suspicions that he is in the midst of the best spell of football in his career to date.

The 26-year-old, who has five games left before returning to Huddersfield, scored against Burton to help Paul Dickov’s side to a second cup-tie victory in a week.

The goal itself — the result of an awful fumble by ’keeper Ross Atkins — was a scruffy affair, but Simpson’s all-round play was clean-cut and effective as he again took full hold of the responsibility he has been given to roam in the space behind prolific main striker Shefki Kuqi.

“I haven’t been given this role before by any other manager,” said Chronicle Star Man Simpson, whose last game of three months with Athletic will be the home npower League One clash with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, December 10.

“It suits me down to a tee and I am absolutely loving it, I really am.

“I am able to link the play from midfield, join up with Shefki and can go out wide when Luca (Scapuzzi) and Tayls (Chris Taylor) move infield off the flanks.

“It is all about being fluid and getting into gaps.”

The fact Simpson was allowed to feature indicates that his future at the Galpharm Stadium — where he is out of contract at the end of the season — remains bleak. Nathan Clarke, by contrast, was not given permission to turn out by his Huddersfield paymasters, who in any case exited the competition at the first hurdle.

Former Coventry man Simpson faces three weeks of first-team inactivity until the transfer window reopens at the turn of next year.

At that point, Athletic will seek to take the player on permanently, should finances permit.

“I am taking it game-by-game,” said Simpson, who came off late on against Burton with a slight tightening of hamstrings and calves.

“People keep reminding me that my loan is coming to an end. I am just loving playing football regularly without injuries.

“When December 10 comes, I will have some time off I think — unless Huddersfield remarkably recall me with the manager there (Lee Clark) doing a U-turn. I doubt he will. So I will have a couple of weeks off and then will be raring to go on January 1 if I can get somewhere sorted by then.”