Charlie’s backing Ben to thrive in Gayfield storms
Charlie Adam was already a member of the Rangers youth set-up when Ben Williamson was born in 2001. However, after going toe-to-toe with the Ibrox youngster in Friday’s 1-1 draw between Arbroath and Dundee, Adam believes Williamson is on the path to stardom. Williamson will spend the rest of the season on loan at Arbroath from Rangers, dropping down the leagues in the same way Adam did at the start of his Gers career during loan spells at Ross County and St Mirren. And Adam believes Williamson has what it takes to become a top player after stepping out of his Murray Park comfort zone to move to Gayfield.
“Ben is a very good player,” said former Liverpool and Scotland star Adam.
“You can see he’s been well schooled by Kevin Thomson, Brian Gilmour and other coaches at Rangers.
“Dick will make it hard for him at Arbroath, he’ll challenge Ben to come out of his comfort zone. “It’s a huge decision to go on loan from the Old Firm. When you are at Rangers or Celtic it is easy to sit there and be comfortable but to come to a part-time level and challenge yourself takes character.
“He’ll go from playing at Murray Park and training on a nice pitch to coming here. This was probably the calmest it has been at Gayfield for a while and the pitch looks good too but it’s still a challenge.
“When you leave the Old Firm to come to a smaller club and prove you can cut it at a parttime level you can go on and have a good career.
“He’ll work under great coaching staff at Arbroath. Dick and Pink (Ian Campbell) are good people and there’s no way Arbroath will be where they are at the end of the season.”
Adam put Dundee ahead from the penalty spot after Tam O’brien handled in the box.
Danny Mullen cracked a drive off the bar and Derek Gaston produced a series of top saves for the Red Lichties before Ricky Little’s 65th minute bullet header drew the hosts level.
But Dundee almost snatched it at the end as Adam’s delicate chip evaded Gaston and was headed off the line by O’brien.
Dundee missed the chance to go second and temporarily close the gap on Hearts to five points but Adam insists they can still win the title.
He added: “Nothing is won or lost yet. We will put this game to the side and try to go to Raith on Tuesday and compete.
“If we are good enough at the end of the season we’ll win the league but if not it will be the play-offs and try to get into the top flight that way.”