Speaking exclusively with BoyleSports, former Premier League star Shane Long has backed Mason Melia to thrive at Spurs while urging the young star to stay humble and learn from others.
Shane also spoke strongly about the League of Ireland deserving more respect along with his hopes and aspirations for the league's future along with earmarking other young footballers who could make the move to the Premier League in the future.
One In A Million Mason
With Mason Melia, obviously, the talent is there. He's only 17 but he's a good finisher, and he's a good striker. It's a hell of a move and one he deserves as well. He's a top player and hopefully, he goes on to big things.
It's a good sign for the league. A million pounds is not a cheap amount. It's a big amount of money. I suppose Tottenham can see the prospect that's there.
He's 17, he's a good finisher, he's quick, he's strong. Obviously, he's still got a lot to learn, but the signs are good. Hopefully, he can take his chance and open up the possibility for younger players coming through in the future.
First Team Potential?
Hopefully, it's not too much pressure on Mason Melia. Obviously, with that price tag, there's going to be big things expected of him, but he's only young. People have got to remember that. You never know, he could come into the pre-season or in January I suppose and rip it up and with injuries, he might get a chance. You never know what could happen.
But loan moves have worked out well in the past for players and the likes of Jake O’Brien going away on loan from Crystal Palace and ending up in Lyon. There are a lot of possibilities for him but as I said the signs are good from what we've seen so far.
Learn From Others
Mason Melia is probably a step ahead of where I was. I wasn't the most technical player when I came over first. I was far behind on that, and he's obviously got that already.
So I suppose the main thing is to stay humble. Learn from the players around him as well. He's lucky. I had Leroy Lita, Dave Kitson and Kevin Doyle help me along the way and give me pointers.
He's got Heung-Min Son and Dominic Solanke and Richarllson, who plays for Brazil. He's got a lot of good players there, so don't be afraid to ask questions. Pick out good points from them and be willing to learn because you can always improve.
The League of Ireland Deserves More Respect
Hopefully, it does open up a pathway again. I remember after myself and Kevin Doyle came over, all of a sudden people were coming to the League of Ireland to pick players and it opens up that pathway.
I suppose the League of Ireland doesn't get the respect it deserves so hopefully he can go over there and prove all the doubters wrong.
The Importance Of A Home Pathway
Some people probably get missed. I’m from Tipperary and Kevin Doyle is from Wexford, we weren't really in Dublin in the main cities, and I suppose I didn't really get spotted at a younger age and I was a bit of a late developer as well.
It was nice that we had that path for the League of Ireland to go and show what we could do and that window of opportunity. I suppose I was kind of extra lucky as well because they were looking at Kevin and spotted me.
So you need that bit of luck as well to get that scout to come and watch and take an interest and you know once they do then you have to take your opportunity.
Dream League of Ireland Scenario
It's a tough one that now because of Brexit and the move to England isn't as easy as it used to be when you’re underage, but that does open up the opportunities to go into Europe and go to Belgium and Italy and Holland and you know I think younger players get I don't know more of a chance out there.
If you're ripping it up in those leagues the Premier League teams watch you. You look at Jake O’Brien, like I said, he went to Lyon and ripped it up and all the Premier League teams wanted him.
So it's a good opportunity for the younger players to go into Europe, having the League of Ireland there as well and the quality that's getting at the moment and hopefully now with the players being bought from the League of Ireland, it gets more exposure and becomes more appealing to players to stay in Ireland and learn their trade and don't leave too early because a lot of players left when I was younger, about 13, 14 and it's very young to be leaving home, to be going across away from your family. It is nicer to have that grounding at home.
Talent Catching The Eye
There's a few players that you would look at, Ryan O'Kane at Shelbourne at 21, and Cathal O'Sullivan a bit younger. When you look at James McClean and Seamus Coleman, they came over to England and really took over the league when they were a bit older in age.
There's Michael Noonan, the young striker. He's obviously a very good player, very young, but he's got that knack of scoring goals, which is a priceless thing when you're a striker. It's one attribute that everyone loves to see, and you can even see it in the Premier League at the moment. There's not many strikers in the Premier League that are known as out-and-out goal scorers.
There's a lot of possibilities there and hopefully, they get the minutes on the pitch in the League of Ireland this year and show what they can do and who knows what can happen.
Coleman To Return Home?
I think he's too crucial to everything. They wouldn't want to let him go. Even if he's not playing as much, he's such a good role model. So good to have around the dressing room.
I could see him maybe going into a coaching role thereafter he calls it a day. I think it would be brilliant for the League of Ireland to get him back, but I can't see it happening, unfortunately.
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