Scunthorpe’s super sub of the weekend Hakeeb Adelakun was pleased with the impact he had coming off the bench against Yeovil and hopes to continue pushing for a place in the starting line up.
The Iron went 1-0 down in the first half, but the 18-year-old scored the equaliser less than ten minutes after coming off the bench.“I’m buzzing to score the goal, the confidence it brings will help me a lot,” he said.
Adelakun came on just after half time for Tom Hopper, with United boss Mark Robins looking to push on for a goal.
“He said he wanted me to get out there and break them down as much as possible,” said the winger. “The aim was to stretch them, which is what I did. I enjoy running at people so it was good.”
The midfielder’s finish against Yeovil was his third of the season. He talked the Iron Player through what proved to be a crucial goal in the tie.
“I just got out wide and saw their defender coming to block the cross, so I just dragged it in between, took a touch and looked to get a shot on target; fortunately it went underneath the goalkeeper,” he said.
The former youth player has been limited to mainly substitute appearances this term, having broken into the first team last season. However, he remains optimistic about his chances, insisting he is happy to “play the waiting game”.
He said: “Obviously everyone wants to play all the time but that can’t happen. The gaffer has kept me sharp and patient so that when it is my time to come on I can make a big impact, which I did today with the goal.”
Adelakun says he will “keep working hard in training” while waiting for another opening to impress.
“Hopefully my chance will come. I’m just going to keep pushing on and, in due time, I’ll get my opportunity.”
Despite the Iron failing to find a winner in the game, the midfielder says the squad remains happy because “we’re doing the right things.”
“We know we need a win but we’re still creating chances,” he said. “We’ve not been clinical enough and we could have had a few more against Yeovil, but we’re still getting in the positions. As long as the chances are coming, it will come sooner or later.”
He continued by saying a win in the next game could certainly start a successful run of form for the claret and blue.
He stated: “That victory will boost confidence and get everyone going again, meaning we can go on another run and push up the table a little bit.”
Scunthorpe’s next fixture is away at Fleetwood, a team the Iron were promoted with last season. Adelakun described Tuesday’s clash as a “tough game”, but said: “They were in League Two with us last year so we know a bit about them. Hopefully we can pick up the three points.”