OrangeBurn 57 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Just came across this article about this youngster Aaron McGregor and there was a little statement made which really got me almost worried. I'll bolden it for you and you can tell me your thoughts ... http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/gaa-star-signs-for-glasgow-rangers-16015100.html He’s a young Catholic, pretty nifty with a Gaelic football — and on his way to Rangers. Budding football star Aaron McGregor is set make a remarkable transition this week when he swaps his GAA jersey for the Glasgow side’s blue strip. The 17-year-old has been snapped up by the Scottish giants, signing a two-year full-time professional contract. And while excited to be joining the Ibrox club and the Scottish Premier League, young Aaron is disappointed to be leaving behind his squad place with Limavady Wolfhounds Gaelic Club, for whom he’s played for since boyhood. Indeed, his last competitive sporting action before joining Rangers was to set up a winning injury time goal for his elder brother Conor in the Wolfhounds’ most recent league match against Ogra Colmcille with a searing run and clever handpass. Such an action, of course, would see him penalised for handball in his new career. For Aaron, the opportunity to make a full-time career in football is a dream come true. “I was delighted when Rangers made an approach, it’s an opportunity to make a career as a full-time professional footballer,” he said. “When you see Rangers’ facilities and their coaches, it’s a fantastic set-up. I’d been on trial with a few other teams — Bradford, Burnley and Aberdeen — but the Rangers set-up was the best. “Bradford actually put a deal on the table, they offered a contract straight away. I was over three times with Burnley and they were in the process of bringing me over again when Rangers moved in between times. They moved very quickly once they had made their decision.” Aaron’s move to professional football has come as a result of a lot of hard work over the years with Limavady Youths, Newtown Youths, Foyle Harps and Ballymena United — and Limavady and Ballymena are both set to get a financial boost for the work they invested in his development. “I’ve always wanted to be a professional footballer. It’s been hard at times to combine keeping up school work, with going for trials and training,” said Aaron. “I’m really looking forward to training full-time. It’s going to be a big change leaving home and moving to a big city but I’m looking forward to that as well.” As for Gaelic football, the teenager is sad to leave his first love behind. “I’ll miss the Gaelic, of course. I wanted to play senior football for my club before I left and I’m glad I got the chance,” he added. Aaron’s proud father Michael explained how the switch to Glasgow came about. “It turns out Rangers had been watching him since he was 12, on and off. They actually made the approach to him around Christmas at Seaview after a game between Ballymena United reserves and Crusaders,” he said. “We’d heard that they had looked at him at the Milk Cup, but hearing something and having a concrete offer are two different things. “The Milk Cup is a great tournament. Aaron played in it at both junior and premier level. He actually captained his county one year and it was real opportunity for Aaron to impress scouts over the years. He also played in the Foyle Cup in Derry and scouts come and watch those tournaments.” Michael took every step to make sure his son had the best opportunity to make the most of his talent. “When he was 13 there were enough men who told me Aaron would be good enough, and after that I decided that I would give him the best chance possible. I got Ollie Cummings to train him on the fitness aspect and I’d like to give a big thanks to Ollie for his help,” he said. Aaron won’t be the only player with a GAA background in the Rangers reserve and Under-19 squads he’ll initially be joining. “Rangers is full of lads who have played Gaelic: there are five in the squad that Aaron’s joining, three Dublin fellas and one from Omagh, and three or four of the Rangers scouts had Celtic tattoos on them,” said Michael. “At this level it’s all about professionalism.” It’s a testament to how well things have moved on that Michael is able to say that the reaction to Aaron’s move has been universally positive. “The reaction locally has been brilliant, from all sides of the community. We have had so many phone calls wishing him well. “We had a going away party for Aaron at the weekend and the turnout was mixed right down the middle. Everybody is very proud of him,” he said. Personally, I dont think this is right. Even if they did, they should not be noticable to anyone. Imagine you were approached by a Rangers scout who had Celtic tattoo's on show.Thoughts? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegendofCoop 17,718 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 I don't think they mean Cletic FC tattoos mate, don't they mean Celtic as in Keltic tattoos?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeBurn 57 Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 I don't think they mean Cletic FC tattoos mate, don't they mean Celtic as in Keltic tattoos??I'm not sure. Why would they just mention their tattoo's for no reason mate? then he goes on to mention professionalism. Kinda like, they have Celtic tat's but they have to be professional enough to do their job. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordo 33 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 I don't think they mean Cletic FC tattoos mate, don't they mean Celtic as in Keltic tattoos??What he said Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegendofCoop 17,718 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 I'm not sure. Why would they just mention their tattoo's for no reason mate?No idea, it's a strange quote to be fair. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillete 1,338 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Good luck to the lad Catholic , proddy or a fucking alienAs long as he does the business I'll be happy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeBurn 57 Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 Good luck to the lad Catholic , proddy or a fucking alienAs long as he does the business I'll be happyThis isn't a thread against him mate. I'm trying to establish if our scouts have Celtic tattoos. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dummiesoot 16,181 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Just goes to show we are the inclusive club! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillete 1,338 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 This isn't a thread against him mate. I'm trying to establish if our scouts have Celtic tattoos.Yeah I know mateJust having my own personal opinion on the lad himself Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeBurn 57 Posted June 24, 2011 Author Share Posted June 24, 2011 Yeah I know mateJust having my own personal opinion on the lad himselfAh, no probs mate. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillete 1,338 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Ah, no probs mate. No worries Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_ger 1,454 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Suppose it shouldn't really matter. People get tats when they are young, might be tricky to hide. If the lad turns out to be pish though, we will know why Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarcheVinny 1,003 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 I'm pretty sure he didn't mean seltic.And anyway, isn't majority of scouting for this level done by freelance scouts? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Thoughts?Are there no Rangers fans who would be qualified to scout for us? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budswiser 196 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 I don't think they mean Cletic FC tattoos mate, don't they mean Celtic as in Keltic tattoos?? No I think it definitely means the dark side. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonnyboyrfc 296 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Seems like he means septic fc tattoos to me... otherwise why would he say anything? Pretty strange to say the least Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace 3,590 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Do we really care, as long as they do their job that's all that matters. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Do we really care, as long as they do their job that's all that matters.Some of us do care, yes. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SirWalterSmithLegend 206 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
critchie1986 2 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Good luck to the lad Catholic , proddy or a fucking alienAs long as he does the business I'll be happyET is signing for £1.5m next week,bargain,he can play everywhere Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace 3,590 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Some of us do care, yes.And that is our problem, sections of the support care more about the religious or footballing allegiances of club employees than whether they can do a job in a professional manner to the betterment of the club.I care if the coach can spot a player, I don't care that the coach has aCeltic/keltic tattoo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gillete 1,338 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 ET is signing for £1.5m next week,bargain,he can play everywhereThought he flew home ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeBurn 57 Posted June 25, 2011 Author Share Posted June 25, 2011 And that is our problem, sections of the support care more about the religious or footballing allegiances of club employees than whether they can do a job in a professional manner to the betterment of the club.I care if the coach can spot a player, I don't care that the coach has aCeltic/keltic tattooI don't think we have a problem per-sé. I'm just concered that our scouts are Celtic supporters because if it was me, there would always be an element of unprofessionalism in the job. I'd rather not alert Celtic to the availibility of the next big thing in Scotland, even if I was employed by them. I just think it's also concerning that these tattoo's were on show for anyone to see. Celtic supporting Rangers scouts should have any football and religious alliences covered up. Personal opinion of course. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smile 26,624 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 ET is signing for £1.5m next week,bargain,he can play everywhereI've heard he going to celtic as he gets to sleep in the room with the kids. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegendofCoop 17,718 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 No I think it definitely means the dark side.There's a link between Gaelic 'football' and Celts. I wouldn't read too much into the tatt's to be honest. And really.....what does it matter? Mo Johnston once played for his boyhood heroes, then signed for us and proved to be a great signing for us. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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