The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Paton waves off praise of Reds star Robertson
PARS: Ex-United man was thanked for helping left-back
Paul Paton was thrilled to get a namecheck from Andy Robertson recently and insists the Liverpool star should be an inspiration for every youngster in Scotland.
Robertson took time out from his preparations for last month’s Club World Cup to credit Paton and fellow former Dundee United team-mate John Rankin for helping to shape his career.
According to the Scotland captain, the experienced midfield duo were instrumental in him recognising his weaknesses and urging him to work hard to improve.
Despite having come a long way from their days together at Tannadice, Robertson still remembers their sage advice and Paton admits the recognition put a smile on his face.
The 32-year-old said: “It was nice to see Andy say that. He has always said nice things since I played with him.
“Obviously me and Ranks tried to help him as much as we could years ago.
“But I don’t think we can take too much credit for what he has done himself to become the best left-back in the world.
“I knew he was destined to be a top player but you could never think that he was going to go on and win the Champions League and become Scotland captain.
“You need a bit of luck on the way but from his first day in, the way he trained hard every single day, you could tell he would go on to big things.
“And the way he has changed his full body, look at him now. He was a skinny wee kid at Dundee United but now he is a grown man, strong, quick everything.
“In training, he applied himself the right way, worked hard and kicked on every single day. He went from a promising young kid to an outstanding left back in the SPL within six months.
“I am really proud of him. I send him the odd message, usually me texting him to say well done – it is never the other way around since I have not had much success.
“I am delighted for him, he is a great boy and when somebody works so hard every single day and dedicates their full life to their profession then he is reaping the rewards for that and he deserves every bit of it.”
As Dunfermline captain, Paton is again dishing out advice to younger players, this time at East End Park.
And he has urged the Pars kids to make the most of the opportunity they have to carve out a successful career for themselves in football.
He added: “I believe that there are some good players in this squad, whether they go to that kind of level you never know.
“But, certainly, a few of them have the ability and capability, they just have to match that with the desire and determination that Andy had and you never know what will happen in life.”