Ayr United's George Oakley on loving life on and off the pitch as striker sizzles at Somerset
George Oakley says life has never been better as he sets a sizzling early season pace.
The striker has fired five goals in three Premier Sports Cup games to get his new campaign off to a flier.
His rapid start is all the more remarkable following a low key pre-season in which he recovered from a knee injury.
But Oakley reckons that may be the secret to his success as he sets the early tempo for Scott Brown's Honest Men.
Oakley told the Ayrshire Post:"Pre-season was a bit slow for me if I'm honest, but it had to be that way due to the knee issue.
"I had been playing with the problem towards the end of last season, but it's perfectly fine now.
"I only played my first game a week before the League Cup season started, so I've managed to hit the ground running.
"To be fair, having that extra time off has probably helped my body to recover and I feel fresher for it.
"I'm just glad to be back out there and doing what I do best."
Oakley has looked razor sharp since returning and scored in every game of Ayr's Group D campaign.
He followed up a hat trick at Annan with a goal off the bench against Arbroath on Saturday - and struck with another fine finish against Forfar last night.
Other first half goals from Dom Thomas and Curtis Main ensured Ayr eased to the top of the group.
And Oakley believes United, who have been smart in their recruitment of experience this summer, are in good shape ahead of the new season.
He added: "We've kept a lot of the core from last year and it was a case of adding the right type to that. The ones who've come in have settled very well as you can see.
"Everyone knows what their job is and of course there's still a lot of bonding to do as a new team, but the early signs are good.
"As a striker you just want to go out there without a care in the world and play freely, which is what I'm doing at the moment. I just want to keep that going.
"Everything is good for me both on and off the pitch right now and that counts for a lot. I'm enjoying myself and looking forward to every game."
Assistant manager Steven Whittaker hailed Oakley's quick start and said: "George missed a bit of pre-season, which we worried about, but he's been brilliant since coming back in.
"We know what he gives us - he's got great running power and is clinical with his chances which he's showing right now. I'm looking forward to seeing him in the games coming up."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Mikel Arteta sends Arsenal transfer message as Alexander Isak statement speaks volumes
Arsenal met Newcastle in Asia on Sunday and the feelings at the two clubs couldn't be more different right now, with post-match comments from Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe speaking volumes on both situations Just a few months ago, Newcastle United were flying. They had dumped Arsenal out of a League Cup semi-final, mocked them on the way to lifting their first domestic trophy in 70 years, and sealed a dream return to the Champions League. Arsenal, meanwhile, were left empty-handed after a promising season faded. Fast forward to this summer in Singapore and the momentum has shifted dramatically. As Arsenal paraded new £63m striker Viktor Gyokeres before kick-off, Newcastle were digesting the growing prospect of losing their star frontman Alexander Isak. On the pitch, Mikel Arteta's side beat the Magpies 3-2, but it was the scenes off the pitch that best captured the changing fortunes of the two clubs. Arteta now has six summer signings through the door, and he isn't done yet. Crystal Palace 's Eberechi Eze is next on the list as Arsenal look to build a squad capable of finally getting over the line. "We do have plans, we do have a lot of options and we are increasing the quality and depth of the squad with all the signings we've done," said Arteta. "We are super happy to have Victor with us. It's been a long journey to get him over here. You can see the boys and the environment, very excited with his arrival." Arsenal showed their new strength in depth in the win over Newcastle. Anthony Elanga gave the Magpies an early lead, but Arsenal hit back with goals from Mikel Merino and an Alex Murphy own goal. Jacob Murphy levelled the game in the second half before Martin Odegaard sealed the win from the spot. While Arsenal look ready to challenge on all fronts, Newcastle appear to be regressing and Eddie Howe knows it. "No, nothing's changed with his situation," Howe said when asked about Isak. "Naturally I think we're going to miss a player of Alex's quality and the group are going to feel that. There's no denying that." With no new striker lined up yet, Howe finished the game juggling game time for young, inexperienced forwards William Osula and Sean Nieve. It was a situation that underlines their current predicament. "Yeah, of course we're not deluded. We know that we need to bring players in. We've known that for a long time. It's been a challenging transfer window. Let's see what we can do towards the end of it." Asked if Isak might join the team in South Korea for the next leg of the Asia tour, Howe was blunt: "No. No chance." And on watching Arsenal spend big while Newcastle struggle to land their targets, Howe was diplomatic but honest: "From my perspective, you can never judge yourselves against other clubs. They will do what they have to do. We've got to try and do what we have to do." And Howe will have been irritated at best when he left the Singapore National Stadium to learn his latest transfer target, Brentford's Yoane Wissa is having his dream move to St James' potentially derailed. The Bees want a premium price as they are reluctant to lose another key player having already sold Christian Norgaard and Bryan Mbeumo. Wissa is reportedly threatening not to play if he is made to stay in west London. At the end of May, Newcastle looked like the team on the rise and Arsenal were working out how to take the final steps to silverware. Now, it is Arteta who is smiling and Howe left hoping the next few weeks do not define a season before it even begins. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Daily Record
Oisin McEntee warns Hearts will be the team everyone hates playing as Derek McInnes fundamental kicks in
The Irishman shone in an all action display as Sunderland were swatted aside at Tynecastle ahead of Aberdeen Premiership opener Oisin McEntee reckons teams will hate facing Hearts after new boss Derek McInnes put the players through a gruelling pre-season. The Jambos are in good shape going into their Premiership opener against Aberdeen a week tonight after building on four League Cup group wins with a 3-0 victory over Sunderland on Saturday. The Black Cats have spent in excess of £100million to get ready for their Premier League return. But that financial gulf did not matter as the McInnes ' men gave them a torrid time at Tynecastle with their high-pressing game. That style of play demands fit players and McEntee insists that will not be an issue after coming through his hardest pre-season. The 24-year-old said: 'You don't want teams to enjoy playing against you and we have players in the team who have that bit of quality. 'We have a good mix of players who want to be competitive and win the ball back to let the players go and express themselves. 'A lot of work goes into it on the training ground in terms of that style and it's about fitness as well. 'It's high intensity, it is going to be quite a lot of work. 'But it's paying dividends when it comes to the games. It feels a lot easier than other pre-seasons, in terms of when you go into the game you feel ready, you feel at it. 'It's been really enjoyable. It's probably been my hardest pre-season in terms of double sessions but you need that going into the Premiership season. 'You need to be fit, you need to be strong. I feel really good for it, my body feels really good.' As a midfield enforcer who came in from League Two Walsall at the start of this summer, he's loving the demands put on him by McInnes. McEntee said: 'That's my kind of game when I'm in the middle and I really enjoy that side, the nasty side of it – winning second balls, first balls and just doing my job for the team. 'It's been enjoyable. Wherever the gaffer wants me to play, I'll play – I don't mind. Playing alongside Cammy Devlin in there is great too. 'He's an unbelievable player and it shows with how many games he's played at this club. He's played at this level for a long time, so it's enjoyable having him in there backing me up.' At the top end of the park, Hearts have players who can add some flair in fellow summer signings turned crowd pleasers Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis. McEntee added: 'Those two boys can mix it too, winning the ball back. 'The look of Braga, he's physical, he's winning the ball back on Saturday but has that bit of class too. They've been unbelievable since they came in.' Hearts did not look back after taking the lead in Craig Gordon's testimonial courtesy of Braga 11 minutes in. Lawrence Shankland and Kyziridis found the net after the break with a scoreline that did not flatter the Gorgie outfit. McInnes has added seven recruits this summer and Burkina Faso winger Pierre Landry Kabore is expected to complete his move today. Hearts have also made an offer for Valur Reykjavik midfielder Tomas Bent Magnusson and McEntee insists all the new boys have settled in well. He said: 'That's testament to the recruitment, bringing good people in, first and foremost. We went to Spain and everyone gelled really well. It's been a really enjoyable pre-season getting to know people.'
Scotsman
8 hours ago
- Scotsman
Hearts summer signing names Jambos ace he thinks is 'unbelievable'
The Hearts recruit found out in New York just how big the club he's signed for truly is. Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A New York moment sparked a realisation over Hearts - and he's been left impressed by the quality inside his new dressing room. Oisin McEntee is one of several new signings under head coach Derek McInnes this summer. He comes in from Walsall with previous experience in the SPFL at Greenock Morton, with the ability to play right back, centre back and in midfield areas, getting competitive minutes under his belt on Premier Sports Cup group stage duty. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Now all attentions turn to the Premiership opener against Aberdeen after a strong friendly win over Premier League side Sunderland in Craig Gordon's testimonial. McEntee was off to the Big Apple soon after signing for Hearts, and there he discovered the Gorgie appeal is global, as he opened up on pre season under McInnes. New Hearts signing on Jambos appeal He said: 'So I signed with Hearts and then flew out to see my sister in New York and I bumped into a Hearts fan straight away. I realised what a big club it is straight away, that you're meeting fans in New York. "It's probably been my hardest pre-season in terms of double sessions and stuff like that but I think you need that going into the Scottish Premier League season, you need to be fit, you need to be strong and I feel really good for it, my body feels really good. "I think a lot of work goes into it on the training ground. The fitness as well, it's obviously a high intensity, it's going to be quite a lot of work. Paying dividends when it comes to the games, it feels a lot easier than other pre-seasons in terms of when you go into the game you feel ready, you feel at it, so it's been really enjoyable." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hearts trio land stirring compliments McEntee was unleashed in midfield, a role he prefers, when coming up against Sunderland. He loved working alongside Cammy Devlin who he rates highly, while summer signing duo Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis are another two labelled under the same emphatic verdict. He said: 'I think that's kind of my game when I'm in the middle and I really enjoy that side of the game, the nasty side of the game, winning second balls and first balls and stuff and just doing my job for the team. It's been enjoyable, wherever the gaffer wants me to play, I'll play, I don't mind. That would be my preferred position. Cammy's an unbelievable player and it shows how many games he's played at this club and he's played at this level for a long time, so it's enjoyable having him in there backing me up. 'You don't want teams to enjoy playing against you and I feel like we have the players in the team that have that bit of quality and we have a good mix of players that want to be competitive and win the ball back to let the players go and express themselves. Those two boys can mix it too, winning the ball back and the look of Braga, he's physical, he's winning the ball back but he has that bit of class too but they've been unbelievable since they came in. "I think it's a testament to the recruitment and bringing good people in first and foremost. We obviously went out to Spain and everyone gelled really well with team activities and stuff like that and training all the time, that just comes naturally but it's been a really enjoyable pre-season just getting to know new people and there's a lot of new boys. Everyone's gelled together nicely."
