Ayr kid could be future football star

Apr 10 2009 by Michael Pringle

Colin Granger

YOUNG soccer star Colin Granger has the world at his feet.

The 12-year-old Queen Margaret Academy pupil flew off to Qatar to take part in an international football tournament with Celtic’s youth team.

The awesome trip to the Middle East involved a five day coaching camp and matches against Qatar’s Aspire Academy and other top sides from around Europe.

The young prodigy started off playing football for Caledonian Boys Club after moving to Ayr from Glasgow as a six-year-old.

Colin said: “I started playing for Caley and then I was picked up by St Mirren as a pro-youth player before getting the chance with Celtic.”

The tournament could prove to be an important step for Colin as he hopes to realise his ambitions and become a professional footballer. It also gives him a taste of what it’s like to work with coaching staff on a full-time basis and experience a different culture at the same time.

It seems that football is in his blood, as his dad – also named Colin – played for several senior Scottish clubs.

He explained: “My dad has always encouraged me; he played football for Ayr United, Albion Rovers and East Stirling.”

It could be that Colin junior may well eclipse his dad’s achievements if he continues his meteoric rise from grassroots football through to the senior game.

Colin hopes to be among the young Celtic footballers who will get the chance pit their wits against other top European sides in another end of season tournament.

Keep an eye out for the young Ayr man’s name in the future.