CRYSTAL PALACE loanee Malachi Boateng has been given a glowing report from Queen’s Park manager Owen Coyle following a star showing against both Partick Thistle and Celtic last week.
The combative midfielder featured in a bounce game against Ange Postecoglou’s Scottish champions before playing a key role as the Spiders picked up their first three points of the season against Partick Thistle on Saturday.
Boateng arrived in the Southside of Glasgow for the season having won both the Under-18 and Under-23 Player of the Season awards at Palace and he also represented the first team on tour in Singapore and Australia this summer.
Detailing the transfer, Coyle explained: “I spoke to Dougie Freeman the sporting director at Crystal Palace and I said ‘I am convinced Malachi can help us and we can help him’.
“That is why for me these loan deals are win-win scenarios. Malachi comes in and does well for Queen’s Park and take it to the next stage.
“Crystal Palace do genuinely have high hopes for him and that was the reason for the loan.
“As we do we know some contacts. We will not stop there. I think before the window closes I am looking to add another three players but they have to be the right type of players.
“Malachi Boateng is 20 and I am not saying we won’t be averse to going and getting a really experienced leader, because we are a very very young team.
“It might be that I need one of those types to come in and have those leadership skills. In the main it will be young and talented players that we think we can help.”
Coyle has revealed how registration issues stopped Boateng from playing against Ayr in the league, but the Ghanian was brought up to speed during a bounce game against Celtic before starring in victory over Partick Thistle.
“He bossed the midfield at times,” Coyle beamed at full-time at Ochilview on Saturday. “My frustration was that I had him ready to play last week against Ayr.
“We couldn’t get his registration through in time. We then went up to Lennoxtown on Wednesday and the team Ange played was incredible.
“Mal played the game and he was terrific. The midfield was Aaron Mooy, James McCarthy, James Forrest and Liel Abada were wide.
“Giorgos Giakoumakis was through the middle and Carl Starfelt and Christopher Jullien also played. Tony Ralston played at right-back and Alexandro Bernabei played left-back with Benji Siegrist in the goal.
“Mal held his own and I have to tell you as Ange’s teams play, they were at full throttle. They were bang at it.
“Mal came out and stood up to it. My frustration was not having him for Ayr, but what we have seen today he will continue in that form.
“When you come from a different country and you are not sure about it, one thing is to watch and another is to be in the midst of it.
“Fair play to Thistle as they played well, but it didn’t phase the kid. He stood up, got his tackles in, passed and moved the ball when he had to.
“That is the type of boy he is. He will continue to get better. Long may it continue.”
