Everton academy player Sam McAllister has opened up about life on Merseyside as he spoke of the supportive structure around him at the club’s youth levels.
As per Liverpool Echo, Everton went head-to-head with Scottish giants Celtic in ultimately winning the battle for his signature and the Northern Irish youngster has already taken to making an impact at his level.
The under-18s player swiftly earned a professional contract after impressing the Toffees’ youth coaches, with the captain’s armband bestowed on him not long after. In a further indication of the youngster’s winning mentality, he appears headstrong and resolute in his journey to improve and impress, in quotes sourced via Liverpool Echo.
McAllister, who joined from Dungannon Swifts in his native Northern Ireland, describes himself as a determined midfielder – a trair which could chime well with many of the Goodison Park faithful.
“I feel privileged to captain this team,” said the teenager, who scored in a 3-0 win over Leeds United’s under-18s on Tuesday.
“To be at the club for just over a year, going into my second season, wearing that armband feels like a very good achievement. The manager said that he sees me as a leader on the pitch, and that I can keep the boys going until the end.
“I’ve always had that determination, ever since I was a kid – always wanting to win and do the best for my team. I think that attitude – never, ever giving up and always giving my all – is one of my main strengths.”
In a curious twist, McAllister almost scuppered his move to the Premier League side after he broke his leg through a relentless drive to win a ball in the 2019 Mid-Ulster Cup final, though he was fortunately able to return from injury sooner than expected.
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The demonstration of McAllister’s leadership is a highly valuable trait which can have the ability to motivate and sharpen team-mates.
It seems as though McAllister is off to a flying start at life with Everton, and the qualities he carries over will serve him well as he looks to progress up the youth ranks and, with a bit of luck, into the Toffees’ first team.
