Rochdale boss just couldn't turn down the chance to sign 'immense' Hatters defender Osho

Luton defender Gabriel Osho moves the ball forward against Reading recently

Rochdale manager Brian Barry-Murphy admitted he just couldn’t turn down the chance to sign Luton defender Gabriel Osho on loan for the rest of the season last week.

The 22-year-old agreed to move to Spotland until May and was handed an immediate debut in the 2-2 draw at Gillingham on Saturday.

Speaking to the Dale official website, Barry-Murphy said: “I’ve known Gabriel since he was very young at Reading.

“There are similarities between him and Eoghan O’Connell in terms of them being touted as someone who’s going to be at the very top of the game by the time it probably came to this stage, but he had injuries and set-backs at Reading and found himself at Luton so I’m very grateful that Nathan Jones thinks that we can help improve his development.

“He’s a player that I have admired for a long time and when you get the chance to acquire someone you rate so highly (you do that).

“His qualities are there for all to see and it gives everybody in the squad a lift.

"We always try to bring in a recruit who’s going to have that sense of excitement for the players.”

The 22-year-old went straight into the starting eleven for Saturday’s game at the Priestfield Stadium, playing the full game.

Dale found themselves 1-0 down just before half time as Vadaine Oliver opened the scoring, before Jimmy Keohane's double (69,75) put the visitors 2-1 in front.

However, ex-Barnet striker John Akinde netted in the final minutes earning the Gills, who had former Luton midfielder Olly Lee in their side, a point

Barry-Murphy added: “There was brilliant leadership (from him).

“He played last week for Luton in the FA Cup so he was up to speed in some aspects, but to go into a physical test like that, bearing in mind how the opposition play, I thought he was immense.

“To see him finish the game so strongly was very rewarding for us.

"He’s the type of guy we wanted to bring in and he can only enhance our squad - he fits our profile perfectly for what we want.”