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FOOTBALL

IWELUMO WANTS TO BE MR WRIGHT

IWELUMO: Determined to make an immediate impact

Wednesday October 8,2008

By Iain Macfarlane

CHRIS IWELUMO has revealed he wants to be Scotland’s Mr Wright – after growing up idolising England ace Ian!

The 31-year-old Wolves hitman joined up with the Scotland squad for the first time this week and is determined to make an immediate impact.

The 6ft 4 in hitman will offer Scotland a new option in attack and could be given a dream debut after Kenny Miller was forced to pull out the Norway clash with a hamstring niggle.

And if Iwelumo does win his first cap against the Vikings he will try and emulate his boyhood hero – not necessarily by marking at the opposition, but by proving to have a predator’s instinct for goal.

Gunners ace Ian Wright was the gobby striker rivals fans loved to hate – but a player guaranteed to get his team goals and Iwelumo has admitted that he’d love to strut his stuff at Hampden on Saturday and try and follow ex-Celt Wright’s path to goal.

The Coatbridge-born ace said: “Obviously because of my height, people liken me to other target men. And as a youngster I liked watching Duncan Ferguson and his approach to the game.

“I think it was a massive blow to Scotland when he refused to play on for his country and while I’m not saying I’m as good as he was, I think I could do a similar job.

“I took time to watch the likes of Pierre Van Hooydonk and also Dion Dublin when I was learning the game. I liked their physical approach, but they also had a good touch.

“However, the guy I really wanted to be was Ian Wright!I I just loved watching him play the game.I had an Arsenal strip with his name on the back and would always pretend to be him when playing with my pals.He was a phenomenal goalscorer and loved the big stage.

“I’m buzzing after getting this Scotland call-up and if I could get a chance at Hampden against Norway I’d do everything in my power to make it a successful debut.”