Rami Considers, but Gillingham Sign Other

Rami Considers, but Gillingham Sign Other

Date: 28-2-2004
Wrote: EP's reporter Karem Ahmed

EXCLUSIVE: Rami Shaaban had been the main target of English First Division side Gillingham, after injuries to their squad left them with only one keeper. They had approached Arsenal for a loan deal that would have been Shaaban's second since his return to fitness. However, conflicting demands may have led to the deal falling through as Spurs keeper Lars Hirschfeld signed yesterday for a month at Gillingham.

The injury problem at the Gils got worse on Friday, when yet another keeper, Bossu suffered a broken finger, leaving only one keeper in the whole squad. Manager, Hesenthaler was forced to look desperately for a replacement, and found one extremely quickly in Tottenham's Hirschfeld, in time for the match against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Prior to the Tottenham goalkeeper's move to Gillingham, EP asked Arsenal stopper Rami Shaaban for his opinion on the approach made by the club for him. "I know there is interest from Gillingham," he said. "But at the end of the day it is up to me to say yes or no."

There was however a conflict of interest it seems. It is said that Arsenal were after a long loan deal, till the end of the season, in order to judge Shaaban's performances and decide on a contract extension. The player himself had different preferences. "I think the best thing would be a short loan spell so I have the chance to get back to Arsenal after that month," he said. On the other hand he did understand his club's point of view, saying "I have been unfortunate to have not played any competitive games for a year so I understand that Arsenal want to see how I can cope with that."

Rami commented on his own fitness and feelings saying, "It feels great in training, and the reserve games I have been playing have gone well." He also remains optimistic about his chances of first team football at Highbury. "The thing in football is that everything can go very fast so we will see what happens. It could be that Jens gets injured for example, and I will be in there again.."

It still remains to be seen whether Gillingham will approach Arsenal again about the services of Shaaban, now that Canadian international, Hirschfeld, has arrived. EP will keep you updated...

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