Scots midfielder Ryan Gauld netted his first ever hat-trick on Saturday to write the latest chapter in his belated coming-of-age story.
After six frustrating years abroad, the playmaker is finally playing and scoring regularly in Portugal.
His goals in the 3-1 win over Academico de Viseu helped fire Farense to the top of the second division as they close in on promotion to the Primera Liga.
Gauld grabbed two from the penalty spot and the other with his head to make it seven goals in six games – he grabbed a double last weekend – as the player dubbed the Baby Messi finally begins to realise the talent with which he is blessed.
Gauld signed for Sporting in a £3million deal in 2014 to great hype. But he failed to enjoy much game time and a series of loans saw the former Dundee United prodigy join the likes of Aves and even Hibs last season.
However, following spells on the sidelines in previous years he has already made 19 league starts for Farense this season after joining them on a two-year deal in 2019 from the Lisbon giants.
Farense have an option for another year but there is a clause in his contract which means he can be landed in the summer of 2021 for just £3.55m.
However, this figure was dwarfed by the release clause in his Sporting deal that was an eye-watering £48m.
