Sporting Lisbon president Bruno de Carvalho has urged Ryan Gauld to take a leaf out of Cristiano Ronaldo’s book to become a footballing superstar.
The midfielder has been playing for the Portuguese club’s B side since his £3 million summer switch from Dundee United, but was recently named in the first team’s Champions League squad.
De Carvalho has high hopes for the 18-year-old after inserting a £48m buyout clause that was part of the playmaker’s six-year contract.
The club president has challenged the 18-year-old to follow in the footsteps of former Sporting favourite Ronaldo.
De Carvalho said: “He has the potential to be a top player, which is why we signed him on a six-year contract.
“He is an amazing young talent and, as a club, we have a history of developing potential. I am confident that Ryan can be a success story.
“I am told that to this day Cristiano spends six hours a day in training and he is the best player in the world.
“Ryan has to look at the likes of Cristiano and take him as an example. There is no great secret. It is about putting hard work in.
“I expect him to be a regular in the first team in the next two-to-three years.”
De Carvalho said he is delighted how Gauld, who scored a brace in Scotland Under-21s’ 3-0 win over Luxembourg on Monday, has handled the move.
He added: “Ryan is very level-headed.”
He said he was “very happy” to see how Gauld has dealt with all the attention.