Keown may have famous dad but he says he’s his own man

ARTICK THISTLE’S new arrival Niall Keown knows he may never escape comparisons to father Martin, but he hopes to show he is an accomplished defender in his own right during his stay in Scotland.

The 21-year-old finalised his loan move to Firhill for the remainder of the campaign during the week, and his manager Alan Archibald hinted he is ready to give him his debut at Inverness today.

When he does get his chance in a Thistle jersey, Keown hopes to show that he has many of the qualities that made his father such a revered, and feared, defender in his day.

“I normally get a few questions about that,” Keown said with a hint of resignation. “People always ask me: ‘What’s it like? Is he in your ear all the time?’ To be honest, he takes a bit of a back seat. He lets me work things out for myself. But I wasn’t tempted to play in another position, I didn’t get much choice.

“He retired when I was eight or nine, which is a shame, really. I would have loved to have watched more of those games now, to see what he was really like. I was in that environment from a very young age, mixing with his team-mates. We used to go to all the games.

“Arsenal were still at Highbury and we used to go up on a Saturday, me and my brother and my mum, and enjoy watching the games.

“I think growing up in a football environment meant I was always going to go into the game. But what I really got from it was the mindset and the mentality. I really got that from my dad, from being in the same house as him for all those years.

“That kind of thing is always forced upon you eventually, I suppose. But I was already focused on being a professional footballer from a very young age – for as long as I can remember. Hopefully, you guys will be able to tell me in a few weeks’ time whether I’m as intimidating. I’d like to think I’m tough to get past, quite aggressive. Hopefully I show that.”

Unlike most young prospects, Keown didn’t have to look outside of his own home for inspirational role models. But as if having his dad on hand for advice wasn’t enough, his manager at parent club Reading is the former Manchester United and Netherlands defender Jaap Stam.

“He’s been good,” Keown said. “I got a few injuries over the summer so I didn’t get as much of a chance to work with him as I would have liked.

“But a lot of his tips about defending have been very helpful. He bases his game on possession, which is useful. Hopefully the advice he’s given me will stay with me for a long time.”

Now, Keown will look to learn from another decent defender in his day in Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald, and he is delighted to have finally made the move north.

“I’m very happy to get it done after having been with the lads for a couple of weeks,” he said. “I was away with them for the training camp and it was a big help getting to know everybody, although I already knew Ryan Edwards.

“Ryan did encourage me to come here. But it was an easy decision for me, regardless. I spoke to the manager on the phone and, after spending the week in Spain with the boys, it was a no-brainer for me.

“Personally, it’s a good opportunity for me to get some first-team football. But I have to put my personal goals aside, because the main aim is for the team to finish in the top six. That’s the main focus.”