Omar Bugiel has given everything for club and country this season, but he had a timely reminder that it’s now the close season and family comes first.
Having made over half a century of appearances on a globetrotting journey, Radio WDON’s Player of the Season was getting calls to his watch to rightly be spending time with loved ones.
Omar recently penned his new two-year deal with us, but he’s still a man in demand though, so any time he gets off over the summer will be precious.
“I’ve got three weeks off and then I’ve got international games coming up again in June, so I’ll ask the gaffer if I can have a few more days off after that!” said Omar clutching a signed match ball after notching his first hat-trick in the 5-1 demolition of Walsall.
“I’m not someone who needs two months off. I can have a week off and then be back on it.”
Before taking a well-earned break though, our Lebanese international forward took a few moments to reflect on the campaign that saw us finish tenth in the League Two table. He finished his first season with us on fourteen goals.
“The first part of the season was all about Ali, I keep mentioning him,” said Omar of our former Iraqi international striker Ali Al-Hamadi, who moved on to Championship side Ipswich after the partnership's devastating start to this campaign.
“He was the one who was leading us, scoring goals and winning us the games. If I can do that next year, what with bringing more players in and hopefully scoring more goals, then I’m pretty sure we’re going to be in a good place.
“Ali is someone who is willing to listen. I’ve seen a lot of things on my footballing journey, but he understood what I was capable of doing and providing him with the opportunity to score goals - we worked perfectly together.
“Next season I want to be doing the same thing with Josh Kelly and whoever else comes in and hopefully we can build good partnerships going forward.”
Omar also paid tributes to Republic of Ireland winger Ronan Curtis, who got on the scoresheet again, and midfielder Harry Pell - who came on as a substitute to make his 500th career appearance.
“Harry is a character,” said Omar. “Everyone knows that at the football club. He is someone you need in the changing room - to get the boys going when things don’t go your way.
“I played a different role this season and that meant he wasn’t able to play so many games as he’d have wanted to and with the injuries he’s had, but that’s a great achievement and not many people will be able to do that.”
Omar added: “I believe Ronan had something like ten months out due to a serious injury and it was tough for him to come back, but we welcomed him with open arms and wanted him to do well.
“Once again today, you could see the quality that he’s got and hopefully he gets a full season, although I don’t know what’s happening next season with him.”
Photos: David Cliff and Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images).
