Was it written in the stars that Jon would be Pittodrie-bound?
Some things just seem destined to be.
For Jon Gallagher, playing for Aberdeen is one of them.
As the young Irishman scorched a path through the US college system at Notre Dame under Dons legend Bobby Clark, he was forever hearing about Pittodrie.
Then, after being drafted by MLS champions Atlanta United, he found himself learning from another former Red in Stephen Glass.
Having travelled the globe in the trail of his Guinnessemployed father in his younger years, Gallagher’s determination to fight his way into the firstteam picture in Atlanta was singular.
But when the chance to move to the Granite City arose this summer, the 23-year-old turned for advice to the two men who knew the score better than anybody.
“I’d see Stephen Glass every now and then if I had to drop down to get game time with the reserves,” explained Gallagher.
“As this opportunity came up, I grew a little bit closer to him and picked his brains a bit.
“We had a good relationship, anyway, just through seeing each other here and there.
“But he ended up becoming a bit like my American dad when the move to Aberdeen came up!
“He told me I’d be coming to a brilliant city and a brilliant club. He said it was very close-knit and I’d have experiences that I might not otherwise get.
“He also said if he were in my shoes, he would go right now. So once the opportunity was presented to me, I just wanted to get over here.”
If Glass played the key role in convincing Gallagher to take a chance on the loan move to the Dons, his college gaffer certainly laid the groundwork.
And if Glass became his ‘dad’ before moving to Scotland, Clark fits a different generational bill.
“Bo b by ’s d e f i n i t e l y my grandad!” laughed Gallagher.
“No, Bobby was great with me. Being let go from the English system at 17 was a tough pill to swallow. But he gave me a second chance at a professional career, so I’ve got so much to thank him for.
“When I graduated from college, he actually wanted to get me over here right away, but my goal was to stay in the States and try to make my name there.
“But Bobby kept whispering in my ear here and there.
“Eventually, when he found out I was coming over, he texted me to say a wee birdie had told him I was making my way over.”
Gallagher was impressed with his first European night at Pittodrie on Thursday.
The Red Army were just as impressed with him.
His pace and directness got the fans off their seats throughout, and earned him the sponsors’ man-of-the-match award.
Should he continue catching the eye – starting in this week’s return leg against ROPS Rovaniemi in Finland – there is a chance his stay in Aberdeen could be extended beyond its current January limit.
“I’m open to anything, really,” stated Gallagher.
“At the time when I graduated from college, my plan was to stay in the States because I’d built a reputation.
“Some clubs already knew about me, but if I had come back over, say to England, I would have been an unknown.
“I’m contracted to MLS until the end of 2020, with another year option.
“There’s potential for me to be here longer, but it’ll be down to the two clubs to decide what’s best for me.
“At the moment, I’m just concentrating on this season.”