“Unbelievable, unreal” – Liverpool and Manchester United icon Paul Ince stunned by gifted Nigerian midfielder

The former Red Devils midfield dynamo has sung the praises of the Nigeria Football Federation target after his brilliant showing on Saturday

Reading FC interim manager Paul Ince has described as ‘unreal’ the talents of midfielder Ovie Ejaria after watching the Anglo-Nigerian star deliver another accomplished display for the Royals.

Ejaria was undoubtedly Reading’s best player as the Royals stumbled to a narrow 1-0 loss at Luton Town in the final match of the regular Championship season.

One of Ince’s changes was deploying Ejaria centrally as a number 10: in an attacking three in the first half and as the tip of a midfield diamond in the second.

And the 24-year-old performed incredibly well, especially in the second half, picking up useful free kicks with his quick feet.

But Norwegian goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland’s terrible error allowed Harry Cornick to steal in shortly before the interval and tap into an empty net for the only goal of the encounter at Kenilworth Road in Luton Bedfordshire.

The defeat had no impact on Reading’s season, with the Royals having guaranteed their safety in previous weeks.

Reading finished just one place and four points above the bottom three in the end, with Peterborough, Derby County, and Barnsley, the teams demoted to League One.

Still, former Manchester United favourite Ince was impressed to see Ejaria deliver one of his best performances following the switch in position.

“But from my point of view, I thought in the second half we were immense,” Ince said, as per Getreading.

“Ovie Ejaria was unbelievable, unreal – we just missed chances. I’m glad the fans came to see it; they gave us applause after the game, which means so much to me and the players, and hopefully we come back in a positive mood next season.”

Ejaria is one of several English-born players looking to represent Nigeria, the country of birth of their parents, on the international scene.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation Amaju Pinnick recently confirmed that Ejaria had applied to FIFA for a switch of allegiance, having previously played for England at various youth levels.