Calderwood teen Ali Gould hopes he can become the latest player to come through the youth ranks at Motherwell.
The 14-year-old signed a professional youth contract with the Steelmen in June and is now a regular in the under-15 setup at Fir Park.
Growing up, the central defender has watched the likes of Jamie Murphy, Jake Hastie and David Turnbull make names for themselves in claret and amber and he dreams of following in their footsteps.
Ali told the News: “Motherwell had been watching me play for six weeks and they picked me up from there.
“I signed in June and started pre-season in July and it’s been really good.
“It’s hard work and competitive, but I’m really enjoying it.
“Playing with the boys has been great fun. The intensity in the training and games is really good.
“I’m hoping to impress people as much as I can, work hard and keep improving.
“A lot of players have come through at Motherwell. Jamie Murphy is a big inspiration and it would be great to do as well as David Turnbull has.”
Ali, a third year pupil at Calderglen High School, was picked up by Rangers at the age of seven and went on to play for Hamilton Accies youth academy before joining Cambuslang outfit Drumsagard.
He was snapped up by Motherwell’s head of recruitment Stuart Ogilvie after impressing at Drumsagard and, so far, he has made 11 appearances for Well.
Ali trains with the club four times a week, with matches every Saturday, and Ogilvie has been impressed with how the youngster has handled the move.
He said: “It was obvious to myself and senior scout, John Rudder, that Ali had the attitude, desire and ability to take him to the next level.
“Ally has coped really well with the step up from grassroots to Academy football, showing a great attitude and desire at both training and during Academy games.
“He is now a regular starter in our under-15 defence and I am sure if he continues to work hard at his game and listens to advice from his coaches, he will get his rewards in the Motherwell Academy set up.”
Sporting prowess runs in the Gould family with Ali’s grandfather Allan playing for Queen’s Park Football Club in the 1970s, while his mother Karen is a former netball player.
“Ali is not unfamiliar with a sporting environment, so that should help him,” said proud mum Karen.
“He works hard, gets stuck in and to see him thriving in this environment is a great thing.
“As long as he keeps working hard and putting the time in, he’ll get what he wants out of it.
“He’s our superstar.”
