Queen of the South boss highlights importance of Efe Ambrose

Marvin Bartley has emphasised how much of a coup it is for Queens to have Efe Ambrose in the squad.

The Doonhamers manager heaped praise on the Nigerian after his late winner at Partick Thistle sent the Doonhamers through to the fourth round of the SPFL Trust Trophy in a 3-2 thriller.

Bartley said: “A lot of people were surprised when we were able to bring Efe into the club with us being in League One. The massive thing for Efe, and he won’t mind me saying this, is that Scotland has given him and his family a lot and he wants to give something back to the younger players coming through.”

Bartley added: “He is a man who has played at the Nou Camp and beaten Barcelona, he has played in World Cups, he has won the African Cup of Nations, played in the Olympics and he is still out there day in and day out, trying to help players, constantly speaking to them and still trains to the best of his ability.

“He goes to the reserve games and speaks to the younger crop coming through and that is his mindset at this time. You can see he is definitely still able to play, but all round he is a fantastic character and it’s a real coup for us to have him. Not only for what he does on the pitch, but what he has achieved off it and what he does to help the younger players with.”

And the Queen of the South manager believes that his infectious enthusiasm for the game is rubbing off on the younger talent in the squad.

He said: “I have played in young sides, and I think it gives you a lot of energy, like you saw today, and it’s players that want to develop.

“My time is best spent on the grass so having someone like Efe in the dressing room extends that. It’s not always just the manager, or the assistant manager or goalie coach, it’s about him