Reported Celtic target Brenden Aaronson has admitted that he is a ‘big Liverpool fan’ with Steven Gerrard his boyhood hero, while speaking to ESPNFC.
If you are on your way to Celtic, the last thing you want to do is express your admiration for a man situated in the blue half of Glasgow.
But even the most hardnosed Hoops fanatic would forgive Aaronson for idolising one of the best midfielders of the 21st century.
He may be Rangers manager these days, but Gerrard the player was one of the finest footballers of his generation.
Given that Aaronson has exploded on to the scene across the Atlantic as a forward-thinking, defence-splitting attacking midfielder, his admiration for the Liverpool legend should come as no surprise.
“I liked Steven Gerrard when I was little — I’m a big Liverpool fan,” says the Philadelphia Union wonder-kid, who has been labelled by some as America’s answer to Kai Havertz.
“I think from a young age probably [Luka] Modric is one of my favourite players in the position I play. I just love how smooth he is on the ball, he knows what he’s gonna do next.”
While the 19-year-old has a long way to go to match the extraordinary exploits of Real Madrid’s Ballon D’Or winning play-maker, Aaronson already appears to share the Croatian’s trademark ability to scythe apart an opposition back line with one flick of his foot.
It is that raw talent that has clubs from all over Europe sending scouts to the Subaru Park on a weekly basis.
MLSSoccer reported in July that Celtic are hoping to set another fresh-faced youngster on the pathway to stardom.
“I think it’s every kid’s dream to go play in Europe and it’s been mine for a long time,” he added.
After strolling through the Scottish Premiership at Celtic, Virgil Van Dijk is now the monstrous presence at the heart of a Liverpool side celebrating their first ever Premier League title after a 30-year drought.
And if Aaronson dreams of strutting his stuff on that hallowed Anfield soil, following in the Dutchman’s footsteps would not be the worst idea.
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