Ghana and FC Sogndal footballer Gilbert Koomson has challenged critics to watch his performance on the pitch before criticising any potential call up to the national team.

The midfielder was recently given his debut call-up to the Black Stars in a World Cup qualifier game against Uganda at the Tamale Sports Stadium generating controversy among Ghanaian football patrons.

In response to the remarks of disapproval, the player has urged critics to watch him play before sounding the alarm.

The former Black Starlet player claimed that it is a herculean task for an African player to get regular playing time in a league like the Norwegian league but he has been able to make the break through registering 10 assists and 3 goals, emerging the top assist maker in that league last season.

"I have played almost all the matches but I  sat out on about four games due to injury. I played about 26 matches, gave 10 assists and scored 3 goals last season. I gave most assists in the Norwegian league last season" he said

Speaking to Kwesi Koomson on Aseda FM, the 22 year old revealed that Grant has never coached him at club level but saw him when he was playing in Thailand.

"Coach Avram Grant has never coached me before but he served as an advisor to Pestero(Thailand) technical team"

According to the player who sat out on only four matches for FC Sogndal due to injury last season, football is about game time and not just big names. He stated that he has been a regular player for his Sogndal side since last season and deserves a place on the senior national team as a result.

Avram called me into the Black Stars due the rise in performance at Sogndal. It is not easy to get playing time in the Norwegian league because the challenge is big. Those who criticize my invitation should monitor my performance before they can make any conclusion on me. Football is about playing time and not about name because when you play regularly you will get the form" he reiterated.

Gilbert Koomson started his professional football career at Pestero in the Thai League after he played 2 years for a Division 2 club in Ghana from 2009 to 2010. He spent 5 years in Thailand and had his  first international call up into the national U17 in 2010 to participate in an African Youth Championship qualifier where they were eliminated by Senegal.

Koomson started playing for Pestero(Thailand) at the academy level at the age of 16 years and was promoted to the senior side due to his performance.

He won the Toyota league cup with FC Sogndal 3 years ago.

By Musah Abelyire/ghanaguardian.com