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At a time when Scottish football isn’t at its peak by any stretch of the imagination, a trio of teenagers have been all the rage in Scotland. The trio are from Dundee United and the one that is making the most news is teenage prodigy Ryan Gauld, who has been likened by some to Lionel Messi. Whilst that comparison might be a long way away from the truth, if his performances this season are anything to go by, then Ryan has all the makings of becoming the next big thing before too long.
With a number of leading clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid, hot on the tail of this talented teenager, let us look at whether this wonder kid is really the best thing to come out of Scotland since sliced bread or is he just another sensation that is going to fall by the wayside before too long.
Who is Ryan Gauld?
At a time when Scottish football is in a slump, Ryan Gauld has emerged as the poster boy for all of Scotland. He is a 17-year-old who plays as an attacking midfielder for Dundee United in the SPL and is currently playing his second season with the senior side. With four goals from his 10 starts, Gauld is already the club’s second-leading scorer, so far this season and has also the SPL’s young player of the month award for November.
Born in Aberdeen, he grew up in the village of Laurencekirk and used to play local seven-a-side games before joining Brechin City’s youth set up. From there he moved to Dundee at the tender age of 11, and has since then become a part of a productive Tannadice youth academy, which has also produced John Souttar and Andrew Robertson, the two other players, who have been making all the news in Scotland.
Although just 17, he has already represented Scotland in the Under-19 and Under-21 levels and rise through the ranks has been meteoric and it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if he makes it to the senior in a year or two.
Style of Play
Although Gauld is naturally left-sided, he used to predominantly play on the right flank. He did so with some distinction, before recently moving to the No10 role he currently occupies for the team. He is slightly built, but what he lacks in strength, he more than makes up for in his ability to pick a pass, which is his greatest strength.
His ability to beat a mean, means that he is able to play out wide on either side, with equal ease. At just 17, he already looks like he has the skills, according to his previous skills coach Ian Cathro, to cut it at the highest level.
Strengths
Having the right attitude, is often an underrated quality in a footballer. With the amount of hype, that has surrounded him, Gauld still remains calm, level-headed and laughs off any suggestion likening him to Messi. One of the main characteristics of his play is his awareness on the ball. Jackie McNamara, the United manager said: “His awareness is very, very good. It’s the best I’ve seen. He is only going to get better.”
According to Ian Cathro, one of Gauld’s best qualities was not just seeing “the pass that you are going to play but, thinking of the second and the third pass.”
The pin point precision of his passes, have meant that his teammates have enjoyed playing with the teenager, who is growing in influence as the season progresses.
Weaknesses
As such, there is no real weakness in his game. If at all, there is one, it is that, due to his slender physique, it isn’t too hard to bully him off the ball. But, whilst that is something he is sure to encounter now that everybody knows who he is, how he copes with the physical aspect of the game, will go a long way towards deciding whether he is the real deal or not.
Verdict
With the dearth of quality players in the Scottish top-flight, Gauld is certainly one of the very few talented teenagers out there. His ability and awareness on the ball, make him a target for any top club in Europe and if he keeps on playing the way he is right now, the biggest clubs, will surely come calling before long. But, wherever he is, he should be allowed to grow and develop as a player, because he still has a lot to learn.
