Scotland snap up Real Madrid starlet

Published 6 May 2010 10:12 0 Comments

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Jack and younger brother Mac.

By Kristian Truelsen

THREE talented brothers, who are all making a big impact in Spanish football, have revealed their commitment to the dark blue of Scotland.

Twenty-three-year-old Ryan, who is originally from Neilston, is a forward for Spanish Second Division club Estepona.

While his younger brother Jack, who is Spanish by birth but a passionate Scot at heart, has so far amazed youth coaches at Spanish giants Real Madrid.

And Mac, the youngest brother, looks like another emerging talent from the ex-pat family as he has already made an impression in academy football.

Football clearly runs through the family's blood as Ryan's father John used to play for Neilston Juniors.

The Harpers moved to Fuengirola 16 years ago and since then Ryan and has been obsessed with the beautiful game.

He told Barrhead Sport: "I didn't start playing football until I was 12 or 13 when I moved to Spain.

"I didn't know anything else other than playing football in Spain.

"Kids are playing football in the street all the time which is not something that happens in Scotland because of the weather.

"They also start playing earlier at four and five. I did go over for a professional trial in Scotland but it didn't work out.

"But I have been playing professional football for Estepona in the Spanish Second Division."

Jack already looks like one of the Bernabeu's best young prospects, at just 14-years-old, and his big brother is full of hope he can progress under Real Madrid's world class youth system. He said: "He is one of the best looked after young players at Madrid. They signed a few young boys up on good contracts and Jack is one of them.

"Real Madrid will try and get young talent as early as possible so they can compete against Barcelona and not have to spend as much money. But he is definitely one for the future."

Scotland youth coach Ross Mathie had already been made well aware of young Jack's Spanish exploits so moved in quickly to get the tricky left winger back on 'home' soil for an under-15s trial at Largs last week.

Despite being born and bred in Spain, Jack would love to pull on the dark blue strip of Scotland rather than turn out for the Spanish national team and he more than impressed the national coaches over the three-day trial.

Ryan said: "Ross Mathie said he did well in the trial down at Largs and the thing is he was younger than all the players in the team.

"Jack has been here all his life and he has only been to Scotland on vacation. But his heart is set on playing for Scotland. That's who he would love to play for."

But Ryan also revealed his youngest brother Mac looks like he could continue the family tradition, and perhaps even top the lot.

He added: "I have an even younger brother who is playing for the same academy team I played for. He looks like quite a tasty player.

"Our parents are very proud of us. My mum and dad love watching us play football. That's what the weekends are all about in this family."

This article appeared in Barrhead News 05 May 10

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