Newcastle loanee Ivan Toney was exceptional in Scunthorpe’s win over Bradford at the weekend.
Scunthorpe United’s Ivan Toney scores their first goal
Scunthorpe United assistant coach Chris Lucketti has heaped praise on the progress that Newcastle loanee Ivan Toney has made in training, but insisted that the 21-year-old needs to keep working hard as he is not guaranteed to keep his place in the team, the Scunthorpe Telegraph reports.
Toney enjoyed easily his brightest day since joining the Iron on loan during the January transfer window at the weekend as he scored two excellent goals during the 3-2 win over Bradford City at Glanford Park.
And Lucketti suggested that the improved performance came as little surprise to those who had watched the youngster in training, but warned Toney that he cannot relax.
“Ivan is full of confidence in the dressing room and so he should be,” he said, as reported by the Scunthorpe Telegraph.
“But we won’t let him get carried away with that. He has got a lot of hard work to do to reproduce that next week if he is selected.
“He has been pushing over the last week or two and been training exceptionally.”
Scunthorpe United’s Ivan Toney (C) celebrates with teammates after he scores his side’s second goal
What will surely help Toney ahead of his return to the Newcastle team in the summer is that Scunthorpe have six crucial games ahead as they try to secure a play-off spot in League One.
Though they are fourth, the number of games they have played means that their position in the top six is still fairly precarious so Scunthorpe face six potentially-crucial clashes, possibly followed by a play-off campaign.
And playing, and thriving, in games of that importance will surely boost his chances of proving himself to Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez.
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