Pape Gueye regains Aberdeen spark as loan rescuer sees that smile again (original) (raw)

Amund Skiri might have done it strictly but he always knew Pape Habib Gueye had all the moves to get back dancing and scoring goals at Aberdeen.

The Senegal forward has been an unlikely hero for the 100 per cent Dons, netting three goals in four games to waltz to the top of the Premiership scoring charts, alongside Cyriel Dessers and Callum McGregor. Skiri played his part as he took him to Kristiansund in March when his former striker was not only out of step but also out of sorts. It looked like it could have been his last dance at Pittodrie.

Gueye was a big-money purchase from KV Kortrijk but had found game time hard to come by. Skiri, who had previously coached him at his first club, Aalesunds, explained: “Pape is full of energy. I still follow him at Aberdeen. He scores goals and dances for the crowd.

“He is back smiling again and enjoying his football. That was the person I knew from Aalesund. That is what we all hoped would happen when we took him to Kristiansund.

“I contacted him in the winter and asked him to come. He thought it was a good idea because he wasn’t playing in Aberdeen. We wanted Pape to come back to Norway to play to restart his football career and to find his best form again. I think he has done that. He is now making an impact at Aberdeen, which is something we all wanted to happen.”

Gueye had always been a big personality but Skiri saw he had lost a bit of that spark. Skiri recalled: “When I spoke to him he was lacking confidence. I know Pape, he is a happy boy and is always smiling. He loves playing football and to train hard.

“I think he had maybe missed that for a period of time before he came back to Norway. I knew him and I didn’t see that spark in his eyes. I told him we were going to restart his career and to help him and along the way he was going to help us.

“It was all about Pape getting back to enjoying his football and coming into a place where he can be himself and flourish as a player and a person. I knew him as a player and a person and I know how to get the best out of him.”

Skiri was spot-on as Gueye netted six goals plus three assists. His former boss admitted when Gueye is at his best he is better than the Norwegian league but it is about doing it consistently.

He added: “In our time with us, Pape was also up and down, but that is normal. What I would say is that Pape’s maximum is higher than the Norwegian league. It is about getting him to his maximum level more often than not.

“Sometimes he can run the ball, lose and then he just stops. It maybe looks like he doesn’t care but he does.

“Pape can stumble on the ball but the next moment he can fire it in the top corner. Pape goes up and down in performance. For him, to take his next step it is all about stabilising his performances at the higher level.”

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