GMS will be huge in the MLS if he shows off his bag of tricks
Stephen Glass has backed Gary Mackay-Steven to take a chunk out of the Big Apple after signing for New York City FC.
The long-running GMS to MLS saga was finally concluded in midweek when the former Aberdeen star put pen to paper in NYC.
Having swapped Scotland for the States years ago, Glass, another former Dons star, knows the US game inside out.
So when the Atlanta United reserve team boss insists MackaySteven has what it takes to become the latest Scot to light up the American game, his is an opinion worth listening too.
“I think Gary will do well there,” said Glass. “Atlanta United played NYC FC in the MLS play-offs last season, so I saw them up close.
“They have some decent attacking players, and Gary is a very talented boy, so I can see him fitting in nicely alongside them.
“He’s a hard worker and a better team player than he’s given credit for by some. So those traits will stand him in good stead in New York.
“But he’s also got that wee bit extra about him. The skill he’s got is unreal – everybody has seen it.
“So if he gets the chance to show a few flicks and tricks off, that’s the sort of thing the people who market the game over here will jump on.
“He’ll be all over social media in no time, because the flashy stuff tends to go down very well with football fans in the US.”
The GMS highlight reels that populate YouTube are testament to the fact that he has plenty of sparkle about his game.
But he’s not the only US-based Scot with a reputation for the spectacular.
After bagging 10 goals in his debut MLS season, Johnny Russell – a former teammate of MackaySteven at Dundee United – has already notched seven this term.
His exploits have not gone unnoticed in America. But the fact they have been clocked in Scotland, too, is encouraging for Glass.
“Johnny came in at Sporting Kansas City and did incredibly well last season,” he said.
“He was flying. He’s started this season brilliantly, and got a hat-trick against Seattle Sounders a few weeks back.
“You’d have to say he’s one of Sporting’s top boys at this point.
“From there he has played his way into the Scotland squad, which is fantastic for him, but it’s good for the league too.
“It shows guys like Gary Mackay-Steven, for instance, that if you come here and do well, MLS offers you a decent platform.
“It maybe wasn’t the case in the past, but if you do well over here now, you’ll be noticed, which can only be a good thing.”
Heading in the opposite direction is Jon Gallagher, who’s moving from Atlanta United to take up a loan deal with Aberdeen.
He’s been knocking on the door of Frank de Boer’s first-team, but has found his path blocked by experienced internationalists.
Glass said: “Jon is a player I’ve been able to use in my reserves on a few occasions this season.
“When you look at first-team players you might have the chance to work with, he’s definitely one you’re pleased to have on the occasions you have him.
“He’s versatile, he’s quick, and he’s a really dangerous player, so I reckon he’s got what it takes to make an impact at Aberdeen.
“He needs first-team football for his own development. If Aberdeen can give him that, I think he’ll prove himself worthy.”