Roy Keane believes former Newcastle United transfer target Jesse Lingard can have 'no more excuses' and insists he must now 'perform' at Nottingham Forest. The Magpies failed in a January approach for the attacking midfielder last season who went on to sign a one-year deal with the newly-promoted side.
Lingard has so far struggled to make the expected impact at the City Ground after several seasons of being on the periphery at Manchester United. The 30-year-old has registered two goals and two assists so far for Forest, although he has struggled with a hamstring injury since the World Cup break.
Lingard recently outlined his anger at how a loan switch to St James' Park was blocked at the last minute last season. However, Keane has no sympathy for the England international's current struggles and argues it is now time for the former Red Devils star to deliver.
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He told Sky Sports: "We can be here all night talking about excuses for players, it’s a new club, Forest are struggling at the start of the season. Jesse [Lingard] was one of the first through the door, a lot of criticism of why he signed for Forest, the length of his contract, but he’s got to go out and perform.
"He’s not really got going at Forest, but I think that comes down to the player. You can make all the excuses in the world, Jesse’s back at Old Trafford tonight, he knows the stadium, big pitch, he’s getting an opportunity again to perform with some huge league games coming up - take your chance.
"There’s a few injuries, he’s got that opportunity so go and take it, no more excuses, Jesse’s had plenty of excuses over the last few years."
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