Rory MacLeod could be forgiven for allowing his attention to drift.
Newcastle United, Southampton and West Ham United lead a swathe of potential suitors monitoring the progress of the Dundee United striker.
Still just 16 years of age and with seven senior appearances under his belt, the hype train has left the station.
Instead, MacLeod — the youngest player to EVER represent United — is the picture of serenity as he speaks to Courier Sport.
Whatever will be, will be is the vibe.
Whether or not a January swoop for his services is imminent, the graduate of St John’s Scottish FA Performance School in Dundee has vowed to remain laser focused on progressing and improving with United.
“It’s nice to be recognised by all those big clubs,” said MacLeod. “But wherever I am, and whatever the talk is, I always have my head down working.
“The club are brilliant when it comes to looking after the younger players and if anything happens, it happens.
“But I’m going to stay focused on United.”
Surreal
Indeed, boss Liam Fox described MacLeod’s efforts in training since the Premiership restart as “exceptional”.
As such, he has been afforded three top-flight appearances off the bench in recent weeks and made his second start for the Tangerines in Saturday’s 3-0 win over the University of Stirling.
And he was good against the students.
MacLeod fizzed one shot inches wide, played a key part in United’s first two goals and linked up well with the vastly experienced Steven Fletcher.
That dove-tailing is no coincidence. He is already lapping up English Premier League lessons from the former Wolves, Sunderland, Stoke and Burnley striker.
“Playing alongside guys like Steven Fletcher and Charlie Mulgrew, getting all this experience at my age, is surreal,” continued MacLeod.
“Fletch teaches you different movements, how and when to make runs in behind and different types of finishes; he’s different class.
“Fletch has played at every level you can think of and it’s a pleasure to work with him every day.
“He’s a done a lot for me. But you can say that about all the young boys — he is always ready to give advice. Working with him can only help us develop.”
‘A different planet’
A formative 2022 saw MacLeod represent Scotland at the summer U17 European Championships in Israel, despite being a year younger than most of the gifted starlets attending the youth showpiece.
Defeats against Sweden, Denmark and Portugal were hardly ideal but the experience — particularly an eye-opening 5-1 hammering against the latter — will serve as an invaluable education.
MacLeod later captained Scotland U17s in a friendly against the Czech Republic in October, a testament to the regard with which he is held by age group boss Brian McLaughlin.
“Going away with Scotland is incredible,” continued MacLeod. “Representing your country is amazing — but to wear that armband is something else. You feel like you’re on a different planet!
“I was playing the year up at that (U17 Euros) tournament and to even be selected was fantastic. It was another new experience in a different country, against absolutely top players.
“Portugal were unreal and we had a really young squad — four or five boys were my age — so you can only learn from that.”
So what next for MacLeod?
The answer could be: more senior minutes against Celtic on Sunday.
This is the moment @DUFCAcademy Rory MacLeod became the youngest ever @dundeeunitedfc player.
🎂 Rory is just 16 and six days.
👉 https://t.co/NqrcsvXHf5 pic.twitter.com/JVC4V0Q3Qs
— Ewan Smith (@ewansmithpr) February 10, 2022
His first senior start for the Tangerines came when the Hoops visited Tannadice last May.
MacLeod was a revelation that night, rattling the post from distance and doing a diligent, mature marking job on Callum McGregor.
“There will be no fear if I’m selected,” said MacLeod. “I just want to show what I can do. I’ll always work hard, put myself about and do whatever I can to help the team.”
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