Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SCOTS MADE MAN OF ME SAYS MADDISON
JAMES MADDISON says being farmed out on loan to Aberdeen was the making of him.
Leicester midfielder Maddison, 21, was plying his trade in Scotland just two years ago after failing to hold down a first-team place at Norwich.
Maddison says the whole experience toughened him up and got him ready for his £20million move to the Premier League in the summer, a switch that has catapulted him into the England set-up.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Aberdeen and I still speak to the manager, Derek Mcinnes, now,” the Foxes playmaker said. “I was only there four months but it was a big learning curve for me in that short spell.
“I had signed for Norwich and I was not getting a game at the start of the season. I was on the bench but not getting on and then
I was left out of the squad.
“I was not getting a sniff so I went to see Alex Neil, the manager at the time, and asked if I could go on loan. He was happy for me to do so and Aberdeen was the best option.
“I went there to show everyone in Scotland, rather than England, what I was about. Looking back, I am very glad with the decision I made.
“It was my choice to go there but I think it toughens you up. I mean, I was an 18-year-old lad (left) playing in a Scottish League Cup final at Hampden in front of 60,000 against Celtic and that’s an experience I will never forget.
“There I was coming out to a big firework display and the fans were in full voice because they won 3-0. That’s an experience I wouldn’t have got by staying in England in the lower leagues.”