Napster
No ⭐
MICHAEL KIGHTLY is aiming to become the Championship’s next Freddy Eastwood.
The on-loan Wolves star was playing non-league football for Grays just a few weeks ago before joining Mick McCarthy’s men.
But after condemning Rangers to their fifth straight defeat with his first league goal, the midfielder insists he will prove a big hit — just like his Southend hero.
Kightly, 22, revealed: “Freddy and I have a lot in common.
“We both played for Grays after being ditched as youngsters and we both come from the same area in Essex, although I don’t live in a caravan.
“I played with Freddy at Southend and we became good mates. He’s been my main source of inspiration.
“He has been linked with a move to the Premiership. Hopefully that will happen to me, too.
“Freddy is paid to score goals while I’m paid to set them up. But I’d love to have the same sort of success as he’s enjoyed.
“I didn’t make the grade at Southend but I scored 28 goals in 18 months with Grays and fortunately Mick came in for me. Now I just want to pay him back for taking a chance on me.”
Rangers could have been out of sight by half time but Matt Murray produced several fine saves.
The Wolves keeper denied Jimmy Smith and Ray Jones before Kightly struck from 14 yards minutes after the break.
Now Kightly hopes his goal will help secure a permanent deal at Molineux.
He said: “I’ll have to see what happens in January but I’ve settled in well, so fingers crossed.”
Boss McCarthy said: “Michael looks a good acquisition and I hope we will sign him permanently.”
Rangers have already tied down their own on-loan ace — Smith — until the end of the season.
But the Chelsea midfielder admits he would rather be playing in the Championship with the Blues reserves.
Smith, 19, said: “Being on loan is part of my development and I’m just glad I’m playing regular first-team football.
“But in Spain, their reserves play in the Championship and I don’t understand why they don’t do it here as well.”
The on-loan Wolves star was playing non-league football for Grays just a few weeks ago before joining Mick McCarthy’s men.
But after condemning Rangers to their fifth straight defeat with his first league goal, the midfielder insists he will prove a big hit — just like his Southend hero.
Kightly, 22, revealed: “Freddy and I have a lot in common.
“We both played for Grays after being ditched as youngsters and we both come from the same area in Essex, although I don’t live in a caravan.
“I played with Freddy at Southend and we became good mates. He’s been my main source of inspiration.
“He has been linked with a move to the Premiership. Hopefully that will happen to me, too.
“Freddy is paid to score goals while I’m paid to set them up. But I’d love to have the same sort of success as he’s enjoyed.
“I didn’t make the grade at Southend but I scored 28 goals in 18 months with Grays and fortunately Mick came in for me. Now I just want to pay him back for taking a chance on me.”
Rangers could have been out of sight by half time but Matt Murray produced several fine saves.
The Wolves keeper denied Jimmy Smith and Ray Jones before Kightly struck from 14 yards minutes after the break.
Now Kightly hopes his goal will help secure a permanent deal at Molineux.
He said: “I’ll have to see what happens in January but I’ve settled in well, so fingers crossed.”
Boss McCarthy said: “Michael looks a good acquisition and I hope we will sign him permanently.”
Rangers have already tied down their own on-loan ace — Smith — until the end of the season.
But the Chelsea midfielder admits he would rather be playing in the Championship with the Blues reserves.
Smith, 19, said: “Being on loan is part of my development and I’m just glad I’m playing regular first-team football.
“But in Spain, their reserves play in the Championship and I don’t understand why they don’t do it here as well.”
