Gordon Smith: It’s time for Islam Feruz to be a man and save his career

An opportunity which, after representing our Under-21s at just 16 years old, he now appears hell bent on throwing away.

Some people think the agreement – which states anyone who has had five years schooling in a country is eligible to represent them on the football field, and was adopted by the other Home International countries – was specifically drawn up for Islam.

That’s not the case. It was brought in to make society more inclusive for young immigrants. He was just a high-profile beneficiary.

Or, at least, he could have been.

I have always maintained that while possessing talent is important for professional footballers, having the right mindset is essential.

Feruz is an example of a kid who got off to a great start at Celtic, but has seriously lost his way since.

Tommy Burns did all he could to help his family settle after their move from Somalia.

But now he has let other people down, too, and done so in such far- flung places as Russia, Greece, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Blackpool and, in the latest instance, Kazakhstan.

He can complain all he likes about the Scottish media having it in for him. But there is a clear pattern of the player markedly failing to do the job he is being paid to do.

That bodes badly for Feruz. A player with a bad attitude, who at least produces on the pitch, is one thing. A player with a bad attitude and no form to speak of is
something else entirely.

Feruz has hinted, through tweets, that he has lost any ambitions to represent the Scotland senior side. That suggests he believes he could be eligible to play for Tanzania and Zanzibar, as well as Somalia.

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Indeed, he makes reference to his ‘dream’ of turning out in the Africa Cup of Nations.

That, though, is not going to happen. Not unless he has a serious change of attitude. And not unless he starts taking advice from people with his best interests at heart.

People who appreciate just how short a footballer’s career is, and the importance of making the most of every second.

Don’t get me wrong, it is not too late for him. Not yet anyway.

Feruz is still just 20 years old, a very young man.

He is a man, however, and, as such, has to shoulder responsibility for himself and those around him.

By that age players should be contributing to their club’s cause or, at that very least, be settled and intent on forging their way in the game.

There are no shortage of positive examples.

Think of how Andrew Robertson responded to being let go at a young age by Celtic.

He worked his way up from the amateurs of Queen’s Park via Dundee United to the English Premier League, briefly at least, and full Scotland caps.

At whatever level we are talking about, the right attitude will help players make the very best of a gift that should never be taken for granted.

Islam Feruz would do well to remember that – before it’s too late.