Al Ain talisman Omar Abdul admits it will be tough to replace departed striker Asamoah Gyan

Published on: 10 August 2015
Al Ain talisman Omar Abdul admits it will be tough to replace departed striker Asamoah Gyan
Asamoag Gyan

Al Ain playmaker Omar Abdul Rahman admits the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) champions need to up their game in the new season if they are to retain their title without star striker Asamoah Gyan.

Prolific Ghanaian Gyan ended his trophy-laden four-year stint in the UAE over the summer, when he joined Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG.

The Boss, who won the AGL title three times with the former Sunderland frontman leading their attack, have since recruited Nigerian striker Emmanuel Emenike on loan from Turkey’s Fenerbahce, as well as Brazilian midfielder Fellipe Bastos and ex-Liverpool winger Ryan Babel.

And UAE hero Omar knows the entire squad will have to hit the ground running if they are to keep ahead of their rivals.

“Last season we had a team that was competing and winning. However, this year we need to be more professional and the pros along with the new foreign signings need to up their tempo and play as a unit,” the 23-year-old said on Monday as he and his brother and teammate Mohammad unveiled Al Ain’s official Nike jersey for the 2015-2016 season.

“There is no doubt that Gyan will be missed and it’s a big loss as he had good capabilities, but I feel that the player who replaced him [Emenike] is capable of doing what Gyan did. The new player will have to contribute for our future.”

Al Ain on Saturday beat Moroccan top-flight club Wydad Casablanca 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw to clinch the UAE-Morocco Super Cup.

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