Lincoln City boss makes Ryan Oné admission as Sheffield United loan star scores again
Ryan Oné has scored two goals in three appearances since joining Lincoln City on loan from Sheffield United in January.
Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala saluted Sheffield United loanee Ryan Oné after he marked his first start for the club by scoring the opener in Tuesday night’s 4-0 win over Northampton Town at the LNER Stadium.
The contest was just 11 minutes told when Oné, who started on the right flank, was sent scampering free by Freddie Draper and curled a first-time effort past goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons and into the far corner.
Oné’s fine finish set the Imps on their way to recording their biggest League One victory of the season, helping them consolidate their position in their second automatic promotion place. Unbeaten in their last 15 league games, Skubala’s side are now eight points clear of third-placed Bolton Wanderers.
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The Blades loanee’s only two previous outings for the Imps since arriving on loan from Bramall Lane last month were made via the bench, meaning the visit of Northampton marked his full debut for the promotion hopefuls.
Marking the occasion with his second goal in Lincoln colours, Oné was lauded by boss Skubala post-match, with the Lincoln chief insisting his overall performance provided all the evidence that was required to justify their decision to sign him for the remainder of the season.
Lincoln boss hails Oné after first Imps start
Skubala, addressing Oné’s finish, told Lincoln’s YouTube channel: “Yes, he’s got that - we’ve seen it in training. He has got a great finish, he’s physical, he’s fast and we saw that tonight as well.
“I thought for a young man to come in in a game like that and put a performance in like he did [was good]. But what you also saw was hard work off the ball.
“It’s taken him a couple of weeks to get to what we want and what we expect off the ball, but you saw his quality on it as well.”
Having come off the bench to score in a 4-1 win over Plymouth Argyle at Home Park just over a week ago and making a late cameo appearance in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bolton, Skubala was keen to see what Oné could offer as a starter for the first time.
“When they come new into the group from January, they have to earn their minutes,” added the Lincoln boss. “But we have seen stuff in training that we really like.
“I think from tonight you could really see what he adds to us and why we brought him here.”