He’ll end up on a big contract at Melbourne City then😉
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Was there any possibility that he was a star at such a young age simply because he was significantly older than what was claimed? That would seem to tally up given how drastic his fall from the big time has been
What was he on per week at Chelsea?
I know a couple of guys who knew Islam when he was a youngster and he actually started to play football in a community 'street' football league in Glasgow (in Sighthill if I recall), bit like a 'midnight football league' to get kids off the streets at night. His issues started because he was very quickly identified as an incredible young footballer and Celtic quickly signed him on silly money for one so young. He still attended the street football league shortly after this happened and by all accounts an 'entourage' of adults came down to influence Islam and also prevent the guys running it from having him there. The two guys I knew were of the opinion that the adults around him were immediately taking advantage and only had money and cash as their sole interest and were a wholly bad influence on the young boy.
From what I have seen and heard it's those around him that will sadly see him never fulfil his potential. Very easily impressionable and if clubs like Celtic and Chelsea can't divert him away from off field distractions then the lad has no hope and only himself (now) to blame.
Like you, I've seen hundreds of lads who were extremely talented but never made it - sometimes because Scottish youth football is so full of nepotism and who you know it hurts.
I'm only passing on what I heard from guys who have good judgement. I also played with young footballers who carved out excellent careers but were not the best youth footballers compared to others I played alongside. Often it's a combination of luck, work ethic, commitment and desire.
He's probably made more money than most of us ever will. Shows how crazy football is.
I played with a guy called Brian Ryrie (from Bilston) decades ago who would have had Gauld on toast - he ended up in the juniors but as a kid was an absolute standout. Who then got 'talent spotted' - Sandy Robertson - one of the poorest players in the league but his old man had the contacts. Often in football it's not how good you are but who you know - which is scandalous and it absolutely affects a young boy's desire and enthusiasm when they see players around them who are not as good, elevated to 'stardom'. Youngsters don't have the resilience adults do and it's so easy now for young players to get distracted, disenchanted and move on to doing other things - often less positive in a lifestyle sense.
I also played alongside Lee Bullen. Great guy and someone who is the blueprint for making a great career from hard work, commitment and never being distracted. Never the best player but always one you wanted in your side due to his character and dependability. He also had great family around him to keep him focused but he made a career for himself through sheer hard work (himself).
Scottish football is scandalous for missing out on real talent at youth level. The performance schools are going down a horrible route of producing youngsters who already think they've 'made it' at age 13 ! And their trial system and selection policy is objective to say the least.