South Asians in Football: Celtic Park start for Yan Dhanda and Brandon Khela sees Ross County make SPFL history

Ross County become the first Scottish Premiership team to name two British South Asians in their starting line-up in SPFL history; Sikh-Punjabi duo Yan Dhanda and Brandon Khela, who have come up through the English system and both hail from the West Midlands, start for County at Celtic

@DevTrehan

Saturday 27 January 2024 14:02, UK

Punjabi duo Yan Dhanda and Brandon Khela start at Celtic Park as Ross County became the first Scottish Premiership team to name two British South Asians in their starting line-up in SPFL history.

Dhanda has rebuilt his career in Scotland since joining Ross County on a free transfer after leaving Swansea in 2022, emerging as one of the Staggies' most influential players.

The attacking midfielder, whose contract expires in the summer, captained Ross County for the first time in his career during last week's Scottish Cup tie with Partick Thistle.

«I've never seen a happier boy. When I pulled him in and said, listen, we're making you captain he was delighted, over the moon,» Ross County manager Derek Adams said.

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«He is a special player. We all know Yan has to score more goals and create more assists, but he has the work ethic and flair that people like to watch.

»He is a player who has responsibility because he is number 10. Giving him that added responsibility, I think will help him."

Dhanda scored one of the best goals of his career at the turn of the year, netting with a beautifully executed free-kick away at Hearts, who have since been credited as one of the clubs with an interest in the 25-year-old.

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