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31.03.2008
Bikey’s proving to be star for Royals
By Steve Skerry
Steve Coppell believes unlikely goal hero Andre Bikey is starting to fulfil his potential after bagging his first brace in a Reading shirt during the 2-1 win over Birmingham City.
Bikey struck two almost identical goals at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday to move Royals into 15th in the Premier League table and boost their chances of avoiding relegation.
But Coppell admitted it looked as if the Cameroon defender, who celebrated with a series of somersaults before later dedicating his goals to his late mother-in-law, might never make it after a eventful start to his career.
Bikey started his career in Spain with Espanyol but spent three miserable years at the club without making a first-team appearance.
He was then shipped out on loan to Pacos de Ferreira before moving to Shinnik Yariskavl in Russia and eventually ending up at Lokomotiv Moscow.
However Bikey was subjected to racial abuse by fans of rival teams and was even forced to carry a gun in the Russian capital for fear of his own safety.
The centre-half then caught the eye of Coppell on a pre-season trip to Sweden in 2006 and joined Reading on loan despite headbutting an opponent and being sent off in his final trial match.
He signed a three-year contract for a transfer fee of around £1million last season but has had to wait for his turn to break into the first team.
But after starting the last four games for Royals, Bikey has not looked back to the delight of his manager.
Coppell also says he had no problem with the 23-year-old’s acrobatics – a move usually frowned upon by most managers as it could cause a player unnecessary injury.
“I hope he does it another half a dozen times,” said Coppell ahead of Saturday’s visit of Blackburn Rovers.
“I’ve no problem with it – it’s just his natural exuberance.
“I don’t think it’s a trademark celebration – he’s not scored enough for it to be a trademark.
“It was an explosion of emotion. Andre is a very warm human being, he always has a smile. He’s had a really eventful career if you analyse it.
“I think he’s played in Spain, Portugal, Russia and now England as well as his obvious Cameroon experience. So for a relatively young man, Andre has huge experience.
“I know he feels very settled with us and is comfortable in the environment. His wife and little baby are here, so he’s pleased with the way things are going. It’s pleasing for us that he’s living up to the potential that we thought he had.”
Bikey was the subject of more controversy when he was sent off for Cameroon during the African Cup of Nations in January.
He missed the final for pushing over a medic who was attending to injured team-mate Rigobert Song during the 1-0 semi-final win over Ghana.
However Coppell insists that the disappointment has spurred Bikey on to make amends at club level.
Coppell added: “I never spoke with Andre about the African Cup until about three or four weeks after he’d returned.
“I never really went into any detail about the incident, but he seems alright about things now.
“Playing in the African Nations gave him confidence.
“If anything, the incident gave him extra incentive to put things right.”
http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/sport/s/2024749_bikeys_proving_to_be_star_for_royals
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