They were brought up on the same streets and now Dale Hilson wants to follow David Goodwillie into the Dundee United first team.
The two Tannadice frontmen grew up together in Stirling, with Goodwillie even featuring in the same boys’ side, Carse Thistle, as Hilson’s older brother Ross.
Hilson (18) himself went on to play for Carse, which has been a happy hunting ground for United, having produced Duncan Ferguson as well as their current prize asset.
He is now back with the Tangerines following a loan spell with Forfar last season and is hoping to tread the path taken by Goodwillie and become a feature in Peter Houston’s line-up.
“I have known David since I was a young boy, from about the age of seven or eight,” said Hilson.
“We grew up in the same area of town and I have always looked up to him as a young boy because he has done so well. He broke into the SPL when he was just 16.”Loons loanHe added, “As well as Goodie, Johnny Russell has come through the ranks and I think all the youngsters here look up to the boys who break into the first team.
“I can hopefully come back and get a good pre-season under my belt and I can take things from there.”
Hilson has benefited from United’s policy of farming out young players to sides like the Loons and Raith Rovers for experience.
Playing for Forfar under Dick Campbell was a learning curve for Hilson and he admits it caused him to grow up quickly.
“It was really important for my development,” he said.
“Playing competitive games every week was better for me and brought me on as a player and a person.”