Lewandowski
Lindsayfield youngster looking to follow in Bayern striker’s footsteps as Poland FA spot star potential
An East Kilbride schoolboy is hoping to be an international football star – for Poland.
Robert Rachwa, from Lindsayfield, is only nine years old but his talents have already been spotted by the Polish FA. Last week he jetted out to Warsaw with his dad, also Robert, to join 300 boys at a Polish FA Under-10 Academy camp. And that could lead to him representing his native country in matches involving teams from Germany, Italy and Spain over the coming weeks. A promising attacking midfielder at Celtic Academy, Robert (below right) could follow in the footsteps of Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski after the Polish scouts spotted his potential as a striker. His proud mum, Joanna, said: “My husband played football, but that was more amateur. “Ever since he was little, Robert was always kicking a ball around and went to play with his dad at Glasgow Green. “He was spotted by scouts at Rangers Academy and spent eight months there but then Celtic Academy asked him to join, so he went there – I think that was more my husband’s decision though!”
Robert has spent the vast majority of his life in Scotland, and Joanna admits he may face a dilemma if he ever makes it as a professional.
He could choose to play for Scotland, but Joanna reckons his heart lies in Poland – for now at least.
“I went home when I was pregnant just to give birth in Poland, but after six months we came back here,” she says. “It’s a difficult choice. When he was younger, he would have taken Poland but now I think he has mixed emotions.
“He really likes the Polish players. Maybe when he is older the Scottish team will be better.”
The family recently moved to East Kilbride from King’s Park, but Robert has stayed at St Bartholomew’s Primary School where head teacher, Jane Saunders, describes him as “a very talented boy.”
Joanna added: “English is his second language and he speaks Polish, but he is always saying he wants to learn German or Spanish so he can play abroad.”
“He’s aiming to play in the English or German leagues.” in association with East Kilbride Shopping Centre