Jem Karacan: Scunthorpe United’s new midfield enforcer

BOLTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 23: Oladapo Afolayan of Bolton Wanderers and Jem Karacan of Scunthorpe United in action during the Sky Bet League Two match between Bolton Wanderers and Scunthorpe United at University of Bolton Stadium on February 23, 2021 in Bolton, England. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Jem Karacan is a name that may ring a bell for a few people mainly from his time at Reading, six years later the midfielder is turning out at the Sands Venue Stadium for Scunthorpe United.

The 32-year old was at the heart of midfield on Saturday for Scunthorpe United as they faced off against Sky Bet League Two strugglers Southend United and it didn’t take long to see why the Iron decided to take a punt on him despite failed spells as Millwall and Bolton before a stint out in Australia with Melbourne City.

Most of Scunthorpe’s play went through the former Reading man, his control and passing range was a cut above most players on the pitch and no Southend player could really get close to him when Scunthorpe were in possession.

When the home side didn’t have the ball however you could still see the determination and doggedness in the former Turkey youth international as he looked to retrieve the ball at any given opportunity, something you might be surprised to see in a player who has played further up the leagues not too long ago.

The more defensive-minded midfielder also played a part in Scunthorpe’s 90th-minute equaliser on Saturday, finding himself on the edge of the box in a scramble, he managed to poke the ball through for Alfie Beestin to smash in the bottom corner and help his side earn a point in a game of very few clear-cut chances.

The midfielder played with passion and it isn’t hard to see why he has elevated Scunthorpe up the table and away from the relegation zone since his arrival in January.

When Karacan arrived in North Lincolnshire, Scunthorpe were just three points above the relegation zone and in real danger of being in a fight until the end of the season but the midfielder has helped the Iron pick up 19 points since joining and now find themselves 11 points clear of the drop, sitting pretty comfortable with just 11 games to play and also a game in hand.

Whether or not the midfielder is going to hang around next season to have a crack at promotion is another question but Irons fans can be happy with what the former Championship midfielder has contributed so far.