This is a kid who will never get too big for his boots
WELL SHINING EXAMPLE Robbo reveals Allan’s so grounded he’s still polishing the footwear of Well No.2 Lasley
HE’S already been billed the next big thing by former Scotland and Motherwell icon James McFadden.
Now Fir Park boss Stephen Robinson has revealed 19-year-old midfielder Allan Campbell acts as an inspiration to him.
The Northern Irishman holds Campbell up as a shining light to Well’s aspiring young footballers as well as many of the senior pros.
Robinson was convinced the kid was the real deal after hearing he used to take two buses to get to training. And despite making his first-team breakthrough last October the Scotland Under-21 star still insists on cleaning his own boots as well as those of assistant boss Keith Lasley.
Robinson said: “If Allan keeps playing the way he has been then there is no reason why he can’t play for Scotland.
“He’s been an inspiration for me. He brings a desire, drive and never-say-die attitude that’s endearing for a manager.
“He isn’t the finished article but he will do absolutely everything in his power to stay at a high level in the game.
“This is a difficult job but when you see young boys being as dedicated as Allan and making the most out of their talent, it’s great. I even use him as an example when I’m talking to some of the older players.
“He’s the first one in the gym and is a boy who pushes himself to the limit.
“When I first came in he was taking two buses just to get to training. He might have a car now but nothing has changed in terms of his enthusiasm and drive.
“He still cleans his own boots. In fact, he still cleans Keith Lasley’s boots. We try to say to him, ‘You’re a first-team player now son’ but he’s only just moved into their dressing room.
“Sometimes players change when they get to the first team and what got them there in the first place disappears.
“Allan isn’t like that. He’s just got a determination to be the best he can be and that’s inspirational.
“Players can earn so much money in the modern game that they don’t relate to the fans.
“But people look at Allan and see he’s one of them. That’s why they love him.”
Robinson reckons Campbell has held his own against some esteemed midfield company this season and believes if he continues to progress it won’t be long before the suitors come calling.
The Well boss said: “Allan has played against the likes of John McGinn, Scott Brown and Graham Dorrans – the better players in the league. He has a confidence about him and is determined to be better than the guy he is up against. He has no fear and will get better. It wouldn’t surprise me if I got calls about Allan because if I was at another club I’d be looking at him. “We’ve put him on a high pedestal but he still has a lot to work on and he knows that.” Robinson’s side go to Dens Park tomorrow hoping to replicate their 2-0 Scottish Cup victory there a fortnight ago. The Steelmen are three points off a top-six spot but Robinson said: “From fifth down to the bottom there’s nothing between the teams. Everyone keeps talking about the top six but I see the priority as making sure we stay in this division. “Our budget dictates I will be judged on keeping us in this division.” TAM SCOBBIE reckons Dundee United are facing 14 cup finals in their bid for a Premiership return – starting tonight at Livingston.
Csaba Laszlo’s men know they can ill afford any more slip-ups if they’re to overhaul the 14-point gap between themselves and leaders St Mirren.
United are relishing tonight’s crunch clash with David Hopkin’s second-top shocktroops before hosting Queen of the South and title favourites Saints within the next week.
Stopper Scobbie is set to make a welcome return following a recent spell out with a groin injury.
And he said: “We need to go on a decent run so we’re looking at these fixtures as 14 cup finals. That’s our mindset.
“The next three games are massive. If we go to Livi and get a positive result it will do wonders for our confidence.
“We’ve got to get good results against those three teams who are round about us in the league so we can go into the last 10 games or so in a good position.
“The guys know the next three games will be crucial. We all know what we have to do.
“In certain games we just haven’t turned up when fans have travelled in their numbers to give us great backing. That’s not acceptable.
“But there’s still an opportunity for us to do what we set out to achieve at the start of the season which is getting back to the Premiership.
“But we can’t let anything else go.”
Laszlo wants to give the travelling fans something to shout about and the United boss said: “The supporters have been magnificent since I came to the club. They are so passionate and deserve the best.
“If we can get a win at Livingston it will make them very happy but we know as always we’ll need to work very hard to get the three points.”
ANTHONY HAGGERTY