St Clair hopes gondolas will lead to a cap
Harvey St Clair says more players should follow in his footsteps and head abroad to further their football education.
This time last year, the Scotland Under-21 midfielder stunned his employers, Chelsea – the club he had been with since he was eight years old – by turning down the offer of a new contract.
Instead, he exercised his right as a free agent to head for Italy, and a football life in Venice, played out against a backdrop of canals, bridges and gondolas.
And despite his club, Venezia’s end-of-season relegation from Serie B – which saw them go down to Serie C, after losing a penalty shoot-out at the end of a play-off – he remains convinced he made the right decision.
“I have undergone a very big change in my football career over the past year,” said the 20-year-old.
“Obviously it didn’t end the way we wanted but, on a personal level, it was a good season.
“I got to experience the firstteam football I was looking for, and learned a great deal from it.
“I really enjoy Venice. The sun and the heat are a massive bonus.
“Playing first-team football has really helped develop me as a player, and living away from home has helped me develop as a person.
“You have to grow up quickly. You are up against men and playing in high-pressure situations, where people’s jobs are on the line.
“It is a big difference. You have to really focus and just go out there to try everything you can to win.
“Without doubt, coming to Italy has improved me.
“For any person, going outside of their comfort zone is only going to benefit them.
“I have been training with players of a very high standard and working with coaches with different ideas about the game.
“I am like a sponge, always trying to soak up as much information as I can.
“I do believe UK players could benefit from coming to countries such as Italy and Spain.
“Everyone finds their own path. But if the opportunity arises, they should take it. Don’t have any doubt. That would be my message.”
St Clair, who travels to home matches by boat, promises to carry the same attitude into Italy’s third tier next season.
“I would like to be a regular in the team, and to try to play as much as I can, to score as often as I can and to produce as many assists as I can,” said St Clair, who has also represented Scotland at Under-17, 19 and 20 levels.
“I just want to improve as much as I can, and to be a better player.
“How will I achieve that? I think every day I need to give 100% in training and do extra in the gym.
“When I get my opportunity on the pitch, I need to take it with both hands and not look back.
“There are a lot of differences in comparison to the football back in Britain. But you need to be able to adapt to styles other than the one you are brought up with.
“In England, it is a bit more intense. In Italy, you need to use your head more because the game is more tactical.”
Jadon Sancho’s switch from Manchester City to Borussia Dortmund helped propel the forward from youth football into the England senior side.
St Clair, who was born and brought up in London, but qualifies for Scotland through his Edinburgh-born mother, Heather, admits achieving that kind of recognition through his travels would be a dream come true.
Yet, while acknowledging that new Scotland manager, Steve Clarke, has already shown his open-mindedness about selection through the pursuit of West Ham right-back, Ryan Fredericks, he accepts he still has a lot of work ahead of him.
“I am patriotic, and have been lucky enough to play for Scotland at several different age levels,” said St Clair.
“So, of course, my dream is to play for the senior team one day, and the appointment of the new manager is an exciting time for players.
“Steve Clarke had a very good spell with Kilmarnock, and is clearly a very good coach with good ideas about the game.
“Maybe one day he will take a look at me. But, for now, I am just focused on Venezia, every training session, every game.
“My contract is with Venezia and that is my main focus.”