MESSI FOR CITY
Luke: Even sitting on bench with him would be honour
BY SCOTT BURNS LUKE BOLTON would love to see Manchester City sign Lionel Messi – even if it makes his dream of forcing his way into Pep Guardiola’s plans even tougher.
The winger is currently on loan at Dundee United and has been excited by reports linking the Argentine superstar with a move to Manchester under his former Barcelona boss Guardiola.
Bolton is a City fan first and foremost and admitted he is praying the Barca superstar, who wants to leave the Nou Camp, will be in the Sky Blues changing room when he returns to the Etihad next summer.
The 20-year-old said: “If we can sign Messi then that would be fantastic. As a fan, I would love that.
“I could maybe sit on the bench next to Messi!”
The Barca hero has been at the pinnacle of the game for well over a decade but Bolton believes Dundee United have their very own stars of the future.
The wideman has been impressed with young guns such as Lewis Neilson, Logan Chalmers and Loius Appere.
Neilson is only 17 and the defender is already being watched by a string of English Premier League clubs, including Everton.
Bolton can see why because he thinks they are on a level with players of the same age at the City academy.
He said: “The gaffer has come from England and he will know a lot of people down there.
“We are playing our own way, trying to take people on so that should interest quite a few clubs.
“The gaffer has shown faith in the youth, putting Kieran Freeman on for his debut and playing others like Logan Chalmers.
“Dundee United are known for their youth academy and quite a few players have come through here.
“They have shown enough in training and the gaffer repays their hard work.
“Some of the lads at City might be better tactically but technically, fitness wise, it is spot on here and is nearly the same to be honest.
“I have been impressed with the young lads.”
Bolton had options to remain in England in the Championship but he doesn’t think there is too much difference between that level and the Scottish Premiership.
He said: “There were options but because the season was just finished I was better coming up here. The Championship is known for end-to-end football and I see the same here.”
It will be an eye-opener for him at Rugby Park today and Bolton said: “I don’t think I have played on an artificial pitch since I was under 14. It is just another game and we will just get on with it.”