Gallagher fits bill for Scotland
Keith Knox believes Declan Gallagher can be the ball-playing centre-back Scotland have been crying out for.
The former Stranraer boss handed Gallagher his f irst taste of senior football in 2010 when he loaned him from Celtic.
Even as a youngster battling it out in the then Second Division, Knox knew he had all the attributes to play at the highest level.
He’s continued to impress despite a career interruption when he spent time in prison for assault.
With Scotland unable to settle on a regular central defensive pairing, the 56-year- old reckons the Motherwell man can be the answer to Steve Clarke’s prayers.
He said: “Declan can make the Scottish centre-half position his own because he’s a confident boy.
“He’s so comfortable on the ball as well, which is important nowadays, especially in international football.
“Everybody wants a ball- playing defender in their side.
“Modern footbal l is all about building from the back.
“Even at Stranraer, we could see that Declan was comfortable going forward with the ball. Declan has got a good few years left ahead of him so if he can rack up some caps then he can become a Scotland regular.
“I’m really proud to see him play for Scotland, especially with what he went through off the field a few years ago.
“He was still a young boy when he signed for us but we knew he had the ability to go far in the game.”
The 29- year- old was also made Motherwell captain this summer.
Knox insists that Gallagher is the perfect embodiment of what a loan spell in the lower leagues can do for a player.
He said: “I’ve been really impressed with him since he moved to Well. He’s worked so hard in his career and that shows you he has a great attitude.
“To sign for Motherwell and be made captain the following summer is a massive honour for him.
“Even back at Stranraer, his attitude was spot on. He wanted to leave Celtic to drop down to the Second Division and play football.
“A loan spell at a lower-league club is exactly what young players need and we’ve seen so many success stories.”