Lincoln City manager Michael Skubala found himself being questioned about match-winner Ryan Oné this weekend.
Oné, on loan from Sheffield United, popped up in the 88th-minute of the Imps 1-0 win against Wimbledon to bag the vital goal. His temporary side are on the cusp of promotion to the Championship after an amazing season, with an 18-point gap between them and third, with 18 to play for.
They took their time to beat Wimbledon, a tough prospect that made the game a challenge for City. Oné bundled home from close range after a Dom Jefferies cross was touched into his path by Ryley Towler, with a hint of handball.
That aside, Skubala was quick to praise Oné for his contribution, although he did have one key learning point for the forward.
“Excellent,” he said, when asked by legendary commentator John Helm about his impact. “He’s still learning. He’s still improving. I think one of the challenges is he has to learn to play tired if you know what I mean.”
Oné had been away with Scotland Under 21s, coming off the bench twice, and only arrived back at Sincil Bank at the last minute to take his place on the bench.
“He’s come back off international duty. He looked a bit tired out there, but that’s part of his development.”
Despite the tired legs, Skubala explained how the player’s talent is clear for everyone to see, both his pace and power, and that keen eye for goal that has given Lincoln City the chance to earn promotion on Monday at Reading.
“He’s a great talent,” he finished. “You can see his speed and his physicality. But I think playing against those centre halves today who are really physical, they’re all dominant, it’s a different type of game that he has to learn.
“But again, he’s got a real good eye for goal.”
Having come through the ranks at Hamilton Academical before moving to Sheffield United in 2023, Oné already had senior experience before arriving at Sincil Bank, and that grounding has been clear in the way he has adapted to League One football. His talent has, in the past, attracted the attention of Liverpool and Ipswich Town.
Still only 19, Oné has already represented Scotland at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level, underlining how highly he is rated, and his performances for Lincoln suggest he has a big future in the game.
Strong, technically capable and composed in attacking areas, he has quickly become an important option in City’s forward line, and if his development continues at this rate, Lincoln supporters may well look back on this loan spell as an early glimpse of a player destined for a very high level.
