Motherwell's Steven Saunders speaks to The Away End

Football a privilege for Motherwell ace

By JONNY BOYLE

PLAYING football for a living is a privilege lost on many players throughout football in the UK.

 

However, there are still players who epitomise hard work and when an opportunity presents itself to them, they grab it with both hands.

Motherwell’s Steven Saunders, in his relatively short career, has grasped his very own opportunity and much like Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, who Saunders played against as a teenager, they have enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of their domestic games.

It is refreshing speaking with the Motherwell defender when he states "I get paid to play my hobby so that is a good part of being a footballer" – a fact which many football players forget when commenting on their career. It is a hobby for him, something he does for enjoyment first and foremost, but something which he is of such a high standard at that he has managed to forge a career out of it so far and it doesn’t look like stopping despite a lengthy injury lay-off.

I had the honour of playing with Saunders in the Scotland Schoolboy International Under 18 team and it was clear from the outset that he had his head firmly on his shoulders, despite quite obviously being a player of high calibre.

The quick rise to the top of the Scottish game was something that not everyone expected due to the lack of real opportunities in Scotland, but something that Saunders always knew he was capable of, after starting his career in the Queens Park youth set up. When asked what his chances would have been of a breakthrough at Queens Park, the defender knew he was good enough to make it, but vowed after the death of his brother, that he would wholeheartedly push himself to enter into full-time football, and when Saunders was presented with the chance, he more than made the most of it.

Having amassed 64 appearances in 3 seasons up until now, Saunders, at the age of 20, has experience unlike a lot of Scottish youngsters. Playing against top teams such as Celtic and Rangers, as well as in Europe against Steaua Bucharest among others, Saunders has coped with this admirably and through his outstanding performances earned himself a Scotland call up in their friendly with Faroe Islands, an experience he ranks as the best so far in his career.

"I think the game that sticks in my mind most is my international debut against the Faroes, although only playing 20 minutes, the experience I got from training with players of international quality was invaluable", he said.

The training Saunders looks upon as key in his career, allowed him to play with Darren Fletcher, Craig Gordon, Kenny Miller, Barry Bannan and Kris Commons, with the latter, two players that the defender states are the best he has played with in a match due to their knowledge of the game and  ‘wands’ for left foots.

Saunders rise has rarely been compared to that of Chris Smalling, the 20 year old Manchester United and England defender, but from the day they both played against each other at Wembley for their countries in a Schoolboy international match, their careers have definitely went on a dramatic incline. Smalling went from Maidstone Town to Fulham before signing for Manchester United after one season at Craven Cottage, and the defender is now an England international. Similarly, Saunders left Queens Park the same season, moving to Motherwell’s youth team before breaking through under Mark McGhee and staying in the team consistently until the injury that rules him out at the moment.

Saunders acknowledges the England international’s development at such a high level but is delighted with his own development in getting to the SPL in such a short space of time.

"Smalling has obviously went on to bigger and better things from the schoolboy days and so have I, albeit at a lesser level I am still delighted that the way my career has went so far".

It doesn’t stop there for however for Saunders, as the defender has his sights set on playing in England or abroad in five years’ time. A move away from Scotland is something he realistically has his sights set on.

"I want to give myself a chance of getting a move and trying a different style of football."

You only have to look at examples of players such as Aiden McGeady, Charlie Adam and Steven Fletcher who have all thrived after moving away from the SPL.

It is clear Saunders is a highly intellectual individual, different from the stereotypical footballer, and a man who understands what is best for him, despite his young age. The defender ruptured his Achilles six minutes into a Scotland Under 21 International against Norway in August and from the outset it was clear he would be injured for a considerable amount of time. He would be forgiven for letting the injury play on his mind and be a cause of worry but the defender is solely focussed on just making a return, in good time.

"My aim this season is to be back before May but if it takes the full season to recover then that is fine for me because I want the injury to be totally healed so I can make myself stronger for next season."

The understanding that he must not rush the injury looks favourably upon Saunders, meaning he can recover fully before making his return.

It is then a frustrating waiting game for the defender until he makes his return, but as soon as he does, the sky is the limit for the Motherwell man. Let’s hope he hits it!