Post by Brian Mackay on Mar 18, 2007 12:26:45 GMT
Gary completes dream move to Liverpool
By Iain Grant
Published: 16 March, 2007
THURSO youngster Gary Mackay Steven has sealed a dream move to English Premiership club Liverpool.
The 16-year-old Ross County youth player impressed at a trial at Anfield three weeks ago, after which he was offered terms. He returned on Wednesday to complete a medical and then sign a pre-contract agreement to join the Reds at the end of the current season. He has hardly time to draw breath before setting off this weekend for Germany with the Scotland under-17s, who are bidding to qualify for the finals of the European championships.
Gary has shown grit in recovering from two serious leg injuries to recapture the form which has made him one of the North's hottest teenage prospects.
George Adams, Ross County's director of football, is delighted the youngster is being given a chance to make it at the very top level.
He said yesterday: "Gary deserves the opportunity. It's a big move for him and we're all hoping he does well."
Mr Adams travelled south on Wednesday with Gary and his parents Sheena and Ian and brother Scott to complete the three-year deal with Liverpool's head of recruitment, Malcolm Elias.
Mr Adams said: "Liverpool have been absolutely great to deal with.
"Gary is very impressed with the facilities there and was delighted that Rafael Benitez [Liverpool manager] came over for a chat with him."
Mum Sheena said that Gary is taking it all in his stride.
She said yesterday: "Everything has happened very quickly. It doesn't seem that long ago that he was recovering from his last injury but hopefully he'll now be able to put all his injury troubles behind him.
"He showed character in coming back and he has a real passion for the game."
She said that Gary was not daunted during his four-day training stint, when he had a friendly game for the under-18s against their Republic of Ireland counterparts. "Now that he's signed for them, it's a big challenge for him but I've no doubts that he will rise to meet it."
Gary made his debut for the Scotland under-17s last month in a friendly with Northern Ireland in Belfast which ended 0-0.
The left-sided midfielder is included in the 26-strong squad travelling to Germany for the 10-day trip when they will play Euro qualifiers versus the Republic of Ireland, Germany and Greece.
Gary's early football action saw him turn out for junior Swifts in his home town. He was also a member of the Thurso-based Premier Football Coaching Club and Caithness United before joining County's youth set-up four years ago.
The former Thurso High pupil has been on a full-time Skillseekers course with the Victoria Park outfit.
Under the terms of the deal, Gary can play for County's under-19s in their forthcoming Scottish Cup semi-final tie versus Rangers.
As the deal comes outwith the transfer window, he does not formally join Liverpool until the end of the season.
Mr Adams, the former Rangers youth supremo, said a confidentiality agreement covers the terms of the deal. Asked about Gary's strengths on the park, Mr Adams said: "He's got good pace, commits defenders, is a very good crosser of the ball and can score goals. He's also a brave lad, which he has proved in bouncing back from two pretty nasty injuries."
Mr Adams said Gary's first aim will be to break into the Liverpool under-18 side. They are a pretty decent outfit as they won the FA Youth Cup last year and are in the semi-finals this year. "He's got a big challenge ahead but it's a great opportunity for him," Mr Adams added. "The door is open for him and it's now up to him."
* The only Far North player to play in the English Premiership was Thurso-born keeper Bryan Gunn, whose best season was 1993 when his side Norwich City finished third and he played in Scotland's World Cup qualifying campaign.
By Iain Grant
Published: 16 March, 2007
THURSO youngster Gary Mackay Steven has sealed a dream move to English Premiership club Liverpool.
The 16-year-old Ross County youth player impressed at a trial at Anfield three weeks ago, after which he was offered terms. He returned on Wednesday to complete a medical and then sign a pre-contract agreement to join the Reds at the end of the current season. He has hardly time to draw breath before setting off this weekend for Germany with the Scotland under-17s, who are bidding to qualify for the finals of the European championships.
Gary has shown grit in recovering from two serious leg injuries to recapture the form which has made him one of the North's hottest teenage prospects.
George Adams, Ross County's director of football, is delighted the youngster is being given a chance to make it at the very top level.
He said yesterday: "Gary deserves the opportunity. It's a big move for him and we're all hoping he does well."
Mr Adams travelled south on Wednesday with Gary and his parents Sheena and Ian and brother Scott to complete the three-year deal with Liverpool's head of recruitment, Malcolm Elias.
Mr Adams said: "Liverpool have been absolutely great to deal with.
"Gary is very impressed with the facilities there and was delighted that Rafael Benitez [Liverpool manager] came over for a chat with him."
Mum Sheena said that Gary is taking it all in his stride.
She said yesterday: "Everything has happened very quickly. It doesn't seem that long ago that he was recovering from his last injury but hopefully he'll now be able to put all his injury troubles behind him.
"He showed character in coming back and he has a real passion for the game."
She said that Gary was not daunted during his four-day training stint, when he had a friendly game for the under-18s against their Republic of Ireland counterparts. "Now that he's signed for them, it's a big challenge for him but I've no doubts that he will rise to meet it."
Gary made his debut for the Scotland under-17s last month in a friendly with Northern Ireland in Belfast which ended 0-0.
The left-sided midfielder is included in the 26-strong squad travelling to Germany for the 10-day trip when they will play Euro qualifiers versus the Republic of Ireland, Germany and Greece.
Gary's early football action saw him turn out for junior Swifts in his home town. He was also a member of the Thurso-based Premier Football Coaching Club and Caithness United before joining County's youth set-up four years ago.
The former Thurso High pupil has been on a full-time Skillseekers course with the Victoria Park outfit.
Under the terms of the deal, Gary can play for County's under-19s in their forthcoming Scottish Cup semi-final tie versus Rangers.
As the deal comes outwith the transfer window, he does not formally join Liverpool until the end of the season.
Mr Adams, the former Rangers youth supremo, said a confidentiality agreement covers the terms of the deal. Asked about Gary's strengths on the park, Mr Adams said: "He's got good pace, commits defenders, is a very good crosser of the ball and can score goals. He's also a brave lad, which he has proved in bouncing back from two pretty nasty injuries."
Mr Adams said Gary's first aim will be to break into the Liverpool under-18 side. They are a pretty decent outfit as they won the FA Youth Cup last year and are in the semi-finals this year. "He's got a big challenge ahead but it's a great opportunity for him," Mr Adams added. "The door is open for him and it's now up to him."
* The only Far North player to play in the English Premiership was Thurso-born keeper Bryan Gunn, whose best season was 1993 when his side Norwich City finished third and he played in Scotland's World Cup qualifying campaign.