The 19-year-old Newcastle United loanee is playing regularly for Kilmarnock.
There’s a reason why Newcastle United were so keen to let teenager shot-stopper Freddie Woodman move to Kilmarnock on loan in January. With Karl Darlow starring between the sticks for the senior side and Rob Elliott returning from injury, the 19-year-old was in need of regular first-team football and, at Rugby Park, he is gaining experience on a weekly basis.
Not that this has gone down particularly well with everyone of a Kilmarnock persuasion. After all, the Daily Record reports, regular first-choice goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald is apparently somewhat perplexed about being dropped for an unproven youngster.
Arguably Kilmarnock’s most consistent player over the last two seasons, the Newcastle man replaced him in the line-up two weeks ago and has remained there since.
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Woodman, however, is an immensely talented goalkeeper in his own right, but MacDonald has a right to express his concern.
“Initially, I was beating myself up about it. I went home and looked at myself, questioning why it had happened,” MacDonald told the Daily Record.
“I was trying to figure it out, break it down. But after that first few days when you’re down, you have to get over it.
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Nonetheless, the competitive edge between the two goalkeepers could have long-term benefits to Woodman’s career. After all, if he wants to start every week in front of a roaring Newcastle crowd, he’ll have to prove beyond all doubt that he deserves to be the number one.
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