Charlie Adam’s dream of playing for Dundee is to come true

The Big Interview: Charlie Adam

Charlie Adam has his sights set on this very personal piece of his Dark Blue Heaven.

Charlie Adam has done things in his career most footballers can only dream of.

He has scored Old Firm clinchers, notched wonder goals at Wembley, Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge, starred for Liverpool under Kenny Dalglish and collected 25 caps for Scotland.

It’s a record to be proud of but something has always been missing.

Pulling on the dark blue shirt of Dundee may sound like a minor achievement when stacked next to the others on Adam’s CV. He doesn’t see it that way.

And thanks to a chance conversation with Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni three weeks ago, his most meaningful football dream is finally about to come true.

The Stoke City playmaker will star for Dundee against Palace in Speroni’s testimonial game on May 26.

And when asked for his feelings on the subject, it becomes clear that while he left his home city behind in a footballing sense long ago, his heart is very much still there.

“People support Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal. But, for me, Dundee are my team,” said Adam.

“That’s where I was born, it’s where I grew up, they’re who my mates support and my whole family. My dad supported them.

“For me, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m only allowed to play 45 minutes unfortunately, but it’s going to be a great 45 minutes.

“I spoke to Julian after we played Crystal Palace a few weeks back.

“It was just a chat. I was asking him about the game, telling him there would be a few thousand Dundee fans coming down, that sort of thing.

“I told him I was a massive Dundee fan, but that was it really. I never expected anything to come of it.

“But then, a couple of weeks later, I got a letter sent through asking if I wanted to play.

“I thought it was going to be for Crystal Palace. I never knew I was going to be playing for Dundee until the club announced it on Twitter! I was over the moon.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and it’s going to be special because I’ve got a lot of people coming to the game.

“It’s one where it might never happen for me in my career, so pulling on the shirt will be a dream come true I really mean that.

“I’ve supported the club since I was a boy, I’ve got so many good memories of watching them at Dens.

“There was the Coca-Cola Cup quarter-final against Hearts (in 1995), when Morten Weighorst scored a wondergoal. I was on the pitch!

“There are all the derbies, you know? After all that history and those memories, it’s incredible to have the opportunity to pull on the strip.”

Dundee’s is not the only dark blue shirt Adam wants to wear this summer.

When Scotland head to Dublin on June 13 for their vital qualifying clash with the Republic of Ireland, he is desperate to be there.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes has already argued his case, highlighting his scintillating recent form for the Potters.

But Scotland boss Gordon Strachan hasn’t seemed keen up to now and chances of a recall remain uncertain.

Nevertheless, Adam has never given up on a return to the national team and he hopes to still play a part in helping Scotland to the European Championships.

“It would be great to get back in but there are people ahead of me it seems,” he said.

“The Ireland game is massive and I want to be involved. But all I can do is keep on doing what I’m doing.

“If it happens great. If it doesn’t, I’ll just have to wait until an opportunity comes along.

“Of course, it would mean a lot to me to get back in. I’ve always said playing for Scotland is a big deal for me.

“The biggest thing is I really don’t want to be sat on the couch next summer while Scotland are at the Euros.

“It’s about the manager wanting you in the squad and about making sure you’re playing well when that situation arises.

“At the moment, I’m happy with my form. Things are going well at Stoke. But things can always be better I’ve always said that.

“That comes down to hard work and that’s something I’m not scared of.”

The turnaround in Adam’s fortunes at Stoke stands as testament to that.

The Dundonian has become a sure-fire starter of late and a 90-minute man to boot.

Gone are the days where Adam was first to be hooked after 70 minutes. Now he goes the distance. Now he makes an impact until the last kick.

His efforts and the resultant goals clearly haven’t gone unnoticed by his manager.

But with just over a year to run on his contract, negotiations on a new deal have not yet begun.

David Moyes’ Real Sociedad were linked with Adam in December, even before his form began to improve.

But the future is something the midfielder is relaxed about because he is in no hurry to leave Stoke.

He said: “I’m going into my last year but I’m quite content. We’ll see what the club thinks.

“As I’ve said, performances on the pitch dictate what happens. If I’m playing well it will happen. If not, they might be thinking something else.

“But I’m playing well at the moment and hopefully we can finish in the top 10 then see what happens.

“I’m very happy here. I’m not going to be going anywhere unless I’m told otherwise.

“I’m playing at a good club with good players and I’m keen to keep going here.”