TEEN’S SACRIFICE TO ACHIEVE HIS ULTIMATE GOAL
The Scottish starlet lived a fabulous existence in the millionaires’ paradise after moving there as a young child with his family.
The 17-year-old shone as a youth player but was told that, if he really wanted to make it as a professional, he needed to return to the UK.
After a trial with Premier League side Burnley, Ryan was recommended to the English League One outfit, who had no hesitation in snapping up the defender.
Ryan, in the first year of a two-year youth deal, said: “All my focus is on making it as a footballer. Accrington might not be Dubai and the weather is terrible but the club have been really good to me.
“I miss my family, friends and things like chilling at the pool after a game.
“But I’d choose a muddy pitch in Accrington over the beach in Dubai any day if it helps me become a footballer.
“I ’ ve played with the under-23s this season and I’m really pleased with how my game is developing here.
“My coaches tell me to just keep working hard.”
Ryan rents a small house in a cramped street in the Lancashire town – a world away from the luxurious villa he called home in Dubai.
The right-back enjoyed a privileged upbringing in Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah with dad Jim, who is originally from Edinburgh, mum Linda, from Bearsden, near Glasgow, and younger sister Hannah.
The Muldoons are friends of ex- Celtic defender Derek Whyte, while former England
Sunday Mail
international Trevor Sinclair – who coached Ryan as a youth – lived nearby.
Argentina hero Diego Maradona, then boss of Dubai outfit Al Wasl, also had a house in the area.
Dad Jim said: “I’ll never forget Ryan coming home from under-10s training and saying, ‘Dad, that old guy you like came along to coach us.’ That old guy was Maradona.”
He added: “Dubai offered a brilliant upbringing. The training facilities are superb. But Accrington are incredible – a great family club.”
Jim had worked as a company director in Dubai, while Linda runs her own real estate business.
But he recently moved back to the UK to support Ryan.
Jim said: “It was the hardest thing leaving my wife and daughter in Dubai.”
The family also had to deal with Hannah, 15, taking seriously ill on a school trip.
Ryan added: “Seeing my sister in hospital made me realise how important my family are. Every time I step on the pitch now, I just wa nt to make them proud.”