To scoring forward!
In Warnock’s words, “he’s not a full shilling”.
“What’s not to love?” says Bluebirds fan Scott Johnson.
“You either have personality or you don’t. You can’t fake it. “Callum Paterson is so popular for so many reasons, but I think it’s mainly because he’s fun. He looks like he’s having fun out there, as he should be, and it’s infectious.”
“He’s extravagant, he’s funny, the way he celebrates goals just shows the way he is,” adds Bamba.
And McGlynn spots the same character he saw developing in the Hearts academy, now blossoming on the biggest stage.
“I’ve seen these celebrations and you can see that he’s enjoying himself,” says McGlynn.
“And why not?
“He’s expressing himself which he was always keen to do.
He’s obviously developing as a player and a person and it looks like he’s struck up a rapport with the Cardiff fans – it was similar at Hearts as well.”
“He was popular in the Hearts dressing room and the thing he was best known then for were his goal celebrations,” adds Scotsman football journalist Barry Anderson.
“I see that has continued for Cardiff. If you look at footage of his goals for Hearts then he always celebrated in a different and crazy way.”
Crazy is probably the right word for Paterson, but in the best possible way.
Reaping the rewards
DESPITE signing for the Bluebirds in June 2017, Paterson’s Cardiff debut was delayed until late October due to an ACL injury.
Initially, he struggled to break into the team on his return from injury, partially a product of Warnock’s belief that he couldn’t play at rightback. That struggle for selection continued into this season, despite Paterson finishing as the Bluebirds’ top league scorer and picking up the club’s Young Player Of The Year award last term.
He started only one of Cardiff ’s first six Premier League games.
In other words, it hasn’t always been this enjoyable for the smiling Scot. His versatility hasn’t always been a boon.
“He’s got so many assets he could play anywhere really,” adds McGlynn, who points out that Paterson played right-back for Scotland as recently as last month.
“Most players don’t go from such different positions in a short time.
“But Callum has got a level of enthusiasm that means he’ll just go and do it.
“That’s the type of lad he was and no doubt still is.
“He will always get an amount of success out of that.”
Bamba adds: “He’s always doing silly things but at the same time he works hard for the team and he’s very happy to be here.
“He said to me ‘I never thought I’d be playing in the Premier League this quick’, but he’s enjoying it and, credit to him, he’s been fantastic ever since he came to the club.”
And that’s been crucial to Paterson’s rise.
While he is happy to play the clown, and will continue to connect with fans as only he can, he’s uberserious about his role as a Premier League footballer.
Some players will reel off bland soundbites about how they’re ‘happy to play wherever for the manager’, but Paterson actually means it.
His selfless attitude – and no shortage of talent – is being rewarded at the highest level.
For McGlynn, the first man willing to take a risk on Paterson, it’s very satisfying to see.
“You always hope for these things for a young player but there has to be an element of surprise,” he admits.
“I was the one who played him up front, but when it wasn’t working I was getting criticised by Hearts fans.
“Lo and behold six years on, he’s scoring goals in the English Premier League.
“It just shows what can be done and fair play to Callum, he’s making the most of his abilities and that’s all you can ask.”
All Cardiff fans ask is for endeavour and enthusiasm from their players. A personality like Paterson’s goes down well, too.