Prolific Non League forward Macaulay Langstaff is trying to out-score Erling Haaland after his record was compared to the Manchester City superstar’s.
Notts County hitman Langstaff has become the first player to win back-to-back Vanarama National League player of the month awards. The 25-year-old joined this summer after helping fire Gateshead to the National League North title with 32 goals.
He has continued his heroics at new club County where he has 15 League goals already like Norwegian ace Haaland.
It has seen him dubbed the ‘Non League Haaland’ and Langstaff is revelling in the tag ahead of County's FA Cup fourth qualifying round at home to Coalville Town on Saturday.
Langstaff smiled: “Being mentioned in the same breath or sentence is a massive privilege. It’s a little bit of fun. We are levels apart at the moment. He’s at the very top level and I have ambitions to get there. But I’ve got people messaging me every single week writing: ‘oh, Haaland’s catching you’, so it's good motivation really to try and stay ahead of him.
"If I am using Haaland as my motivation to score as many goals as I can and try to stay ahead of him, I am not going to be far from him. It would be a good time to get ahead of him when he is not playing in the World Cup break. I use every little motivation I can. He will score plenty more goals and if I can get ahead of him that will be unbelievable.”
Haaland, who is 6ft 5in, has already smashed three Premier League hat-tricks after a huge impact at City following a £51million move from Borussia Dortmund. Langstaff has one of his own for County’s table-toppers after a treble against Dagenham. But the ace admits they are very different strikers, he reflected: “In terms of comparisons, it’s probably only in the numbers. He's got a physical stature that’s a lot different to me.
“He’s very tall, powerful and strong. He can do things where he shrugs off the defender and leaves them on the ground and puts the ball in the back of the net. That is a luxury I don’t have. I've got to be a little cleverer in and around the box and create my own space movement to get my goals.
“But some goals where he is at the back-post, that is where the gaffer likes me in between the full back and centre half. As for cars and lifestyle - there is no comparison there! But he’s a top player so he deserves the rewards he is getting.”
Haaland also has ex-Premier League footballer and dad Alfie in his corner but Langstaff has had plenty of support and encouragement too as he bids to work his way up the leagues.
He admitted: “None of my parents or grandparents played at any sort of level. But they have been massive in supporting me every single game since I was 10 or 12. I eat the right foods and live my life right off the pitch and that has helped me on the pitch.”
