VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY
Well-travelled Gallagher doesn’t want his European journey with Aberdeen to end
I’ve had a very unique path to professional game. It was challenging
HE is easily the most well-travelled member of this Aberdeen squad. And he’s in no mood to stop the globetrotting just yet.
Jon Gallagher, an Irishman on loan from MLS champions Atlanta United, firmly believes that he and his Dons team-mates can overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit at home to Rijeka tonight — and progress to the Europa League play-off round.
The 23-year-old, a product of Notre Dame’s famous ‘Fighting Irish’ college soccer programme, was lured to Pittodrie in part by the promise of big European nights just like this one.
After a lifetime spent constantly testing himself in new environments, including playing against grown men at the tender age of just 15, Gallagher certainly hasn’t been fazed by his outings against Finnish and Georgian opposition in the previous two rounds.
If nobody in the Aberdeen line-up could feel entirely satisfied with a losing performance in Croatia last week, he is certainly ready to embrace tonight’s challenge.
‘The reason I came here was to get experience in big, highpressure games and that’s exactly what I’ve got — especially tomorrow night’s game,’ said the versatile all-rounder.
‘The prospect of playing in Europe was a huge attraction. When Atlanta touched on the idea of (me being involved in) Europa League qualification, it was a big swing in my decision-making process.
‘And it has lived up to expectations, definitely. It’s been as tough and as interesting as it can be.’
Gallagher describes his footballing life so far as an example of ‘taking the path less travelled’, thanks to dad Paul’s career as a director with Guinness.
‘I moved to America at 17,’ he said. ‘I’ve lived in five different countries, moving all over the world with my dad’s job.
‘I’ve been in Jamaica, Singapore, at boarding school in England for a bit, America…
‘So these trips around Europe aren’t too bad for me. Although, in fairness, I’d never been to Finland or Croatia!
‘My dad worked with Guinness and just switched companies after 25 years. I don’t really know what his exact job is!
‘When I was eight we moved to Jamaica. Then, when I was ten, America. At 13 it was Singapore, 15 England and then back to America at 17.
‘I’ve had a very unique path to the professional game. It was quite challenging, at times, to find the best standard for me.
‘When I was in Singapore, I was 15 years old and playing in a men’s league.
‘I realised that, if I wanted to move on, I would have to move back to England and be seen.
‘It didn’t work out for me in England, unfortunately. But, in a good way, it’s brought me to where I am now.
‘Staying in college definitely helped. I honestly don’t feel I was ready at 17, 18. A lot of clubs that I went on trial with told me I was too small — and I was.
‘Obviously the three years in college gave me time to develop as a person and a player, mature a little bit.’
With some words of advice ringing in his ears from former Aberdeen goalkeeper Bobby Clark — a coach at Notre Dame when Gallagher was coming through — and another ex-Dons player in Atlanta development-squad coach Stephen Glass, Gallagher didn’t have to think too long about the chance offered by Derek McInnes.
The fact that Aberdeen vicechairman Dave Cormack, who lives in Atlanta, took a personal interest also helped to sway his thinking.
‘Yeah, I had met him (Cormack) a couple of times in and around the training ground,’ said Gallagher. ‘I knew he was pretty close with our president at Atlanta.
‘He introduced himself and then, when Carlos Bocanegra (technical director at Atlanta United and former Rangers player) told me they were interested, I knew he had probably played a part.’
Previously on trial with some major European clubs, Juventus among them, Gallagher has hit the ground running in the Granite City.
He has played in a variety of positions having clearly earned the trust of manager McInnes.
On a night when every single man in red will be required to go above and beyond, in a match
against physical and well-drilled opponents defending a comfortable lead, Gallagher understands the balance that needs to be struck.
‘We know there’s a job to be done and, in a way, that kind of frees us up a bit,’ he said.
‘We aren’t protecting a lead, we aren’t going out there to be too cautious.
‘We know we have to go out and be aggressive — but be aggressively patient, if you like.’
McInnes is hoping that home wins in the previous rounds, a 5-0 victory over Chikhura Sachkhere and 2-1 against RoPS Rovaniemi, have given his players confidence ahead of this evening’s task. ‘We take comfort from the home performances so far — they have been very strong and we need something similar,’ said the Dons manager.
‘You have to be aware of the consequence of chasing the result because, although we’re 2-0 down and they (Rijeka) are in control of the tie, it’s still only half-time.
‘We can’t give them any more of an initiative by conceding, so the first goal is hugely important.
‘If we get a goal early enough then the complexion of it changes.
‘We will be going out to win both halves of football and then see what happens.
‘This is where experience comes in. You have to have the balance right between attacking and defending.
‘Rijeka are a strong opponent but we still believe we can get this tie going our way.
‘To do that we have to set the tone of the game, make sure it’s not a comfortable night for them. We have to be calm, composed and measured in our work.’
Cool heads and stout hearts will definitely be required if Aberdeen are to achieve a European comeback for the ages.
And maybe add a few more stamps to the most well-inked passport in the home dressing room.