In the history of Maccabi Tel Aviv, there were quite a few unforgettable foreign pioneers: Andrzej Kubika, Alexander Peshich and today also Stipa Fritza or Georgia Juvanovic. But there’s one name the club will always remember fondly – and that’s it Vidar Kjartansson, The Icelandic striker who played two years at the Yellow Club, and once also won the title of top scorer. Although he failed to lead Maccabi to the title, he will always be remembered as one of the quality strikers who landed in Israel.
But if Kjartansson’s past is quite bright, at least when it comes to Israel, his present is much less brilliant. After two years and one more day at Maccabi Tel Aviv, he moved to Russian Rostov – in what was supposed to be a significant step forward in his career. At 28, he seems to be knocking on the door of the climactic moment. In retrospect, it turned out to be a flop. In 2018/19 he played in all settings only 11 appearances, and scored only twice. Loans to teams such as the Marbie from Sweden, Robin Kazan from Russia and Wayne Maltiaspor from Turkey have also failed. Want an illustration? If in his two years at Maccabi Tel Aviv he had 45 goals in 86 appearances, then since then – in four years he has played 115 appearances and scored only 30 goals. And all this without mentioning that he passed on the way no less than five groups.
And after the unsuccessful experience with Rostov (and with the various questions), in 2020 he tried to return to his roots – to the team where he first broke out, and the Norwegian Valeranga. In 2020 he returned there, signing for three years; But even there, it turns out, things are going less well. This season, Valeranga is in no small crisis; As of the ninth round, it is only in tenth place in the table – and if you look at Kjartansson’s contribution, the team has scored only ten goals so far this season. The Icelander himself, by the way, scored four goals out of ten – almost half the amount, and yet absorbs not easy reviews.
The comeback in royal blue came against Brann in 2020, and it ended with a hat trick in nine minutes for Vidar Örn Kjartansson. The Icelander is very ready for Sunday’s big match????????????
– Vålerenga Football (@ValerengaOslo) October 30, 2021
The one who mostly points the arrows at him is Christian Gauss, A Norwegian footballer who retired last year and became a commentator on TV channels. Recently, around Valeranga’s poor ability, he pointed to Kiertenson as one of the team’s problems. “He does score a lot of goals,” Gaussett said, “but beyond that he contributes very little, unlike other strikers, in teams that Ethan Valerange competes in the league. Compared to Adams or Brisha (players in the same position in teams like Viking or Lilstrom, who lead the table), Leaders in character and playing all over the field, Kiertenson just loses ball after ball. Then, “he said,” no wonder they lose. “
Kjartansson for his part, by the way, repelled the reviews. “I feel in great shape,” he said, “for me, it’s bullshit. I’m the team’s outstanding scorer, and we’re more dangerous when I’m on the pitch. I know I’m one of the best strikers in the league. Also his coach at Valeranga, Doug-Ayalb Pagramo, Defended Kjartansson and attacked the commentator: “I do not care what others think, and for me Christian Gauss is not a commentator.” no less.
Now, there are those who claim that Kiertenson is on his way out. Local media claim that the Icelander himself is in talks about his future, and even mentioned a replacement name: Dylan Venta, the leading striker of the Dutch Roda, who may replace Vidar at the tip of Valeranga. And Kjartansson? He will once again try to find a new station, with the aim of getting back to what he was so passionate about in Israel.