RUUDI WILL TAKE OFF

Last updated : 13 August 2002 By Editor

"I'm convinced Ruud can be even better this year. I don't see why not, he's stronger this year, his training performances are better and he's going to improve as a footballer. He's a hungry bugger in front of goal and his two goals in Aarhus last week were fantastic finishes. It doesn't matter who you are playing against the execution of them were superb.

Ruud has the capacity to be the best striker in Europe, I have no doubt about that. He's level headed, lives the right way, looks after himself and everything is about football which is great to see in a young person. Everything he does is centred on preparing for his football."

"Ruud had a hard season last year and he tired towards the end which was very evident, but we weren't surprised by that. I'd warned him about that his first season after being out a year. He was obviously going to get some reaction to the demands on a centre-forward who has been out for a year coming into English football.He scored 36 goals last season and there's no reason why he can't beat that this time."