EXCLUSIVE: Everton legend Adrian Heath discusses the move to Hill Dickinson Stadium and his favourite players in the current Blues side
Everton legend Adrian Heath believes Hill Dickinson Stadium now feels like ‘home’ for the Blues as he opens up on the emotion he felt when Iliman Ndiaye netted the final goal in the 3-0 win over Chelsea and reckons the Senegal international ace is good enough to play for any team in Europe.
Heath, who played 307 matches and scored 93 goals for Everton between 1982-88, winning two League Championships and the FA Cup, told the ECHO: “Although I’m still based in Minnesota, I’ve had a year where I’ve not been working and it’s meant that I’ve been able to come back to England and I think I’ve been to four games at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The last match against Chelsea was the first time that I went: ‘I feel like we’re at home again.’
“I got quite emotional when Iliman Ndiaye bent the third goal in. I looked around, and it’s not Goodison, but it’s the first time it felt anything like it.
“I thought we’re on our way back. It’s not easy because you’re talking about over 130 years of history with hundreds of games that have meant so much to so many people and the football club.
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“You don’t get that in just six months. But the 3-0 win over Chelsea was the start to go and make us what we’ve always been.”
Speaking at ‘The Night That Made History,’ an event hosted by Christopher Ward at Hill Dickinson Stadium to honour Everton’s conquerors of Bayern Munich from 1985, the 65-year-old said: “It’s a beautiful stadium. The amenities are fantastic, I’ve probably been in all of the different lounges at some stage, saying hello to the fans.
“One thing I will say is that the club have always been incredible when it comes to looking after the former players, which is really important and I know the supporters appreciate that.”
Heath believes that Everton have the core of a potentially great side, with Ndiaye a particularly special talent in his eyes. Asked who he’s enjoyed watching this season among David Moyes’ men, he said: “I think that Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been a great signing. James Garner has been unbelievable.
“I think Iliman Ndiaye could play for any team in Europe, I really do. If Iliman could put more of an end product to a lot of the work he does, I feel like he could be world-class.
“We know that Jordan Pickford has done what he’s done and makes incredible saves and has made three or four world-class saves this year, what I will say is that the back four have been better than what people think. Whether it’s Michael Keane, Tarky, Jake O’Brien and I think Vitalii Mykolenko has been better these last few months than he was before.
“I just feel if we can add four or five really good players to this group, then we can move forward.”