David hit the gym to get fit and it paid off the night he kept wee Barrie in his back pocket
United boss McKinnon says Bates proved he was special when he kept McKay at bay
RAY McKINNON believes Rangers breakthrough kid David Bates should become the role model for Scottish football’s “baller” generation.
The Dundee United boss handed the 20-year-old his Raith Rovers debut two seasons ago while in charge at Stark’s Park.
And he remembers how the kid caught the eye of Gers by putting the shackles on Barrie McKay in a Championship clash last season.
McKinnon also recalls the eye-watering gym sessions which became a daily ritual and insists that dedication and desire to succeed has created a Light Blue hero in the making.
He said: “The biggest compliment I can pay David is to call him the model for any young player.
“When I arrived at Raith and came across David, I saw a young boy with an unbelievable attitude. He transformed his body from a skinny young lad into a man mountain.
“He had a great attitude. There’s a determination within him which is an example to any player wanting to make a career in the pro game.
“There has been criticism of young players not wanting to put the work in, the social media issues and things like that but there were no distractions for him. David knew the importance of physique from a young age.
“We couldn’t get him out ofthe gym. He would be in there every day with his team-mate Ross Matthews.
“Raith had a great facility and I would go in and watch them do the weights. They would strap weights around their waists and hang upside down while doing pull-ups.
“It was impressive to watch. He’s proof that you don’t need loads of money piled into sports science if you have such a positive mental approach.
“It’s about improving yourself every day whether that’s physically or your talents.
“It was about getting into the best shape possible. You need that in the modern game as it’s all about becoming a specimen and he did that.”
Bates has been promoted to the Rangers first team by new boss Pedro Caixinha and produced another stand-out display in last weekend’s win at Aberdeen. But McKinnon admits it required several twists of fate before former managerial pair Mark Warburton and David Weir finally took the defender to Ibrox.
The United boss said: “I remember the game against Rangers when he played for Raith and caught the eye of Davie Weir.
“Barrie McKay was up against David. He tried to get a run on him all night and couldn’t do it. They brought someone else on, I can’t remember who, but what I do remember is that he had no luck either.
“David was outstanding and showed all the attributes which make him a modern-day defender.
“After the game Davie Weir came into my room and asked about him. We were keen to bring Ryan Hardie in on loan as we really needed a striker. Rangers then suggested taking David on loan until the end of the season to see his development and we would take Hardie.
“It wasn’t in our interest to do that. We needed David at that point as he was a regular in our first team but unfortunately for him he suffered an injury.
“He was out for a few months and that slowed everything down for him.
“I also thought Rangers had lost interest so I was delighted for him when he finally earned his move. He’s now taking his chance and well done to him. He’s athletic and has the physique and temperament to go all the way – and he’s a lovely kid into the bargain.”
McKinnon believes Bates showed against the Dons the sky’s the limit for his potential and insists it’s the youngster’s ability to take advice on board that is making all the difference.
He said: “At Raith we worked with David constantly. We worked on his heading and his recovery. It was specific stuff about not getting drawn to the ball or being caught out with the ball in behind.
“He took it all in and I was thrilled to see him cruise through the Aberdeen game.
“Rangers withstood pressure in the second half and David stood out.
“He may be in the side due to injuries but he’s taking his opportunity and if he keeps living his life as he has been then he has a fantastic chance. “We moved him from the middle into a rightback role at Raith and it was only due to his great athleticism.
“He’s dogged, has the pace and athleticism to do both roles. He’ll develop into an exceptional player.”
The biggest compliment I can pay David is to call him the model for any kid RAY McKINNON