The Rangers striker has been linked with a summer move to Leeds United – but could he make the grade?
A tally of 43 goals in 67 games is impressive at any level, even if the sneering cynics will waste little time suggesting that even an average striker can be made to look lethal in the Scottish Premiership.
Yet, despite his one-in-two goal ratio this season, could Martyn Waghorn really cut it south of the border? Reports in the Daily Mail (21/03, page 75) suggest we may find out sooner rather than later with Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Leeds United all reportedly following his progress.
The links with Leeds are intriguing to say the least. The Whites have signed astutely since Garry Monk arrived in the summer but while no one can doubt Chris Wood’s worth in front of goal these days, you still get the feeling that the promotion-chasing Yorkshire side are still lacking depth in attack.
Links with Leonardo Ulloa, Jordan Rhodes and David Nugent (below) in January suggested that the club were in the market for a striker proven at Championship level. Waghorn, however, does not fall into that category.
The versatile forward spent seven consecutive campaigns in the second tier between 2008 and 2015 with the likes of Southampton, Charlton and Hull City. However, in 166 Championship games, Waghorn scored just 33 goals.
Clearly, he has enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career at Ibrox but, as the likes of Kris Boyd and Stevie May have proven in recent years, moving from the top tier in Scotland to the second tier in England is far from straightforward.
Therefore, if doubts persist about Waghorn’s abilities in the second tier, just imagine if Leeds earn promotion to the Premier League this summer. They would surely have to raise the bar.
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