Life with Dundee United could have gotten off to a quieter start for Charlie Telfer.
Instead, the 18-year-old midfielder found himself the topic of conversation between annoyed and frustrated Rangers fans wondering why their most highly-rated youth player would leave Ibrox to join the Tangerines.
Now the Scotland under-19 star finds himself the subject of a transfer tribunal to decide the fee United should pay the Light Blues by way of compensation.
As if that weren’t enough to be going on with, last week Telfer looked on as the Tannadice men sold Ryan Gauld to Sporting Lisbon for £3 million and must have wondered if some United fans would be looking in his direction for a replacement for the wee wonderboy.
That is a lot of weight for such young shoulders to be carrying but Telfer looks as if he doesn’t have a care in the world.
Making his first start for Jackie McNamara’s men in Tuesday’s opening pre-season match against Athlone Town in the Republic of Ireland, he played with freedom and enthusiasm, albeit he will need time to read the thoughts and runs of his new teammates.
He even bore a physical resemblance to Gauld as he buzzed about the midfield and flanks.
All that other stuff can be set aside, according to Telfer, as he focuses fully on convincing new manager Jackie McNamara that he can become the latest young United player whose performances with his club get him noticed across Scotland and beyond.
“It was brilliant to get the first game of pre-season over and done with and now I can look ahead,” said Telfer of the 0-0 draw with Athlone which saw the Scots carve openand squandera barrowload of good chances.
“It is mainly about getting fit and finding your match sharpness at this stage but I thought I did OK.
“Had we scored just a fraction of our chances we would have won the game quite comfortably but while it would have been nice to get off to a winning start it doesn’t matter too much.
“As we progress through the pre-season games both here and in Holland the opposition will test us but I am sure we will continue to get better as a team and squad.
“My personal aim is to try to impress the manager and show him that I deserve to be in his plans for the first competitive match of the season. It is going well for me in that respect and the lads have been great and really welcoming.
“They have made it easy for me to settle in and I appreciate that.”