Ryan Stevenson
Ryan Stevenson believes the Championship is no better than Scottish Premier League
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
5:11 PM
FOLLOWING his ill-fated six-month spell at Ipswich Town, Ryan Stevenson has returned to Hearts with the opinion that the Championship is of no better standard than the Scottish Premier league.
The 28-year-old midfielder joined the Blues in a £50,000 deal back in January having gone on striker at the Edinburgh-based club following their failure to pay his wages on time.
Blues boss Paul Jewell only handed the player two starts in the second half of the campaign, but was full of praise for his attitude and character.
However, with his wife and newborn baby failing to settle in Suffolk and there little prospect of the Scot getting a regular run in the side, Jewell agreed to let him return to Hearts on a free transfer last week.
“A lot of people would not have expected to see me back at Hearts and I really didn’t think I would be back after the way things ended the last time,” said Stevenson, speaking after his side’s 1-0 home defeat to Dundee.
“I thought Sunday would be a difficult day for me but the reception from the fans was positive right from the start. I really enjoyed myself but obviously I was more than a little bit disappointed we didn’t get the win we deserved.
“I want the fans to stick with me now. I’m back on a long-term deal at the club and the supporters know I will give everything for the jersey.”
He added: “The football down there was good. We were going to different grounds every week and it was a great place to be at.
“Ipswich are a club with a proud history and a lot of tradition but standard-wise the Championship is no better than the SPL. A lot of people get the wool pulled over their eyes because it is England.”
Meanwhile, former Town right-back Jaime Peters – one of numerous players to have had their contract prematurely terminated by mutual consent at Portman Road over the last year – is on trial with League One side Leyton Orient. The 25-year-old Canadian scored for their reserves in a 3-1 victory at Peterborough United yesterday.
Elsewhere, keeper Cody Cropper – released by the Blues at the end of his contarct this summer – says he is delighted to have signed a two-year deal with Premier League side Southampton on deadline day after impressing on trial.
“It feels great,” said the American. “It was nerve-racking to come down to a Premier League club having been at a Championship club before that, but I think it’s a great opportunity for me.
“There are a lot of good guys here and it’s place that I can kick on and develop my career so I’m looking forward to it.
“A lot of it comes down to not only me but (coaches) Martin (Hunter) and Vince (Bartram) for seeing something in me to help develop so I can maybe push on into the first team or out on loan.”
In other news, ex-Blues midfielder Jimmy Bullard was substituted 55 minutes into his debut for League One side MK Dons last night, his new employers losing 1-0 at League Two side Northampton Town in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
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12 comments
the scottish premier league is one of the best leagues in the world and has in it some of the best players on the planet. the fans are also really well behaved and dont hold wholeheartedly partisan views in the slightest. viva les scottish football.
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cyberslayer
Friday, September 7, 2012
Spartacus, perhaps you could tell us what in your blinkered vision PJ was not responsible for.
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Cyril Baker
Friday, September 7, 2012
To be fair to Stevenson, he couldn't settle, and was not really picked that often by Jewell. His full interview basically said that whilst he didn't expect to be back at Hearts, he was glad he was, and was pleased to be well received. He spoke respectfully of ITFC having tradition, and said that the Championship was no better than the SPL. I am a little unsure as to why he has received so much stick. The Championship is the fourth best supported league in Europe, for those that were not already aware.
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Kevin Bailey
Thursday, September 6, 2012
A panic cheap buy last January due to PJ and Cleggs failure to once again land their top targets. We faffed around with Pearce and Ward last January - failing to do the deals. We were then expected to believe that PJ had found a real 'gem' in Stevenson - the reality being it was yet another abysmal PJ signing. Did PJ learn from this and other mistakes this pre-season? No. If anything it has been worse. PJ OUT.
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Jason
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Difficult to grasp the point this man is making. Is it received wisdom north of the Border that the Championship is of a superior footballing standard to the SPL? Of course that is the case. Clearly Stevenson's experience at Ipswich did not give him a true view of Championship standards. They do say that Scottish grapes are of the sourest kind.
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Bertie Shrimp
Thursday, September 6, 2012
I think Ryan Stevenson is being very generous to the Championship. It is sad to see another player leave because he does not fit into PJ's failed 'system'. More significantly it is sad that PJ does not appear to bring in the players he is prepared to play and that he treats them as disposable objects. How many of PJ's signings have left on a free? There are many who wish he would do the same thing.
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peter sadler
Thursday, September 6, 2012
the championship is clearly a better standard than the majority of the SPL and what he is forgetting is there is no room for progression past the SPL where as the championship leads to a league miles beyond the SPL it also has better financial stabillity... so he is basically talking nonsense....
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John Smith
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Frankly, who cares? 50k and two first team starts says it all. He couldn't make the cut at a painfully average championship club (that's us, by the way) so really should anyone remotely care that he looks back in anger? He's had to go back home with tail firmly between legs. What is of more pressing concern is that our club continues to stagnate with no Plan A and a team full of loanees. I just hope that PJ knows what he is doing and can turn this around.
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Tom
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
To be fair, Jungle Boy, it isn't like Stevenson got much of a chance at all with us- more mis-management and wasted cash by Jewell (No wonder ME doesn't splash the cash for PJ?)
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I am Spartacus
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
What is he on about??? The SPL is their top division, The Championship being our 2nd tier.... sounds like sour grapes to me, good riddance!
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Paul Breach
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
IS RYAN STEVENSON TRYING TO SAY THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS GOOD OR THE S P L IS CRAP
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MIGUEL100
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
If that's the case Mr. Stevenson, how come you could not cut the mustard at Ipswich?
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jungle boy
Wednesday, September 5, 2012