Ewan Wilson is gorging on a regular helping of Premiership football – after being told to cut down on his portion sizes at dinner time.
The 19-year-old was hungry to make his mark in Motherwell’s first team after ending last season on loan at Beith Juniors in the sixth tier of Scottish football. And after cleaning up his eating habits with the help of the club’s sports scientist the left back has become a regular starter for Stuart Kettlewell as well as earning himself a new contract earlier this month.
Now he’s licking his lips at the prospect of a Hampden semi final against Rangers this weekend. First up is a tasty Premiership trip to face Dundee United that could see Motherwell jump the Tannadice side into fourth spot with a win. It’s a lot on the teenager’s plate. But he said: “I’m very happy with the new deal. I back myself to know that I can play here. Maybe last year I wasn’t ready in all aspects, but this year I feel I’m ready to take this jump.
“I’ve improved everything overall, physically and mentally. I’ve learned more about the game, my position and also I’ve got my eating habits better.
“For me it was smaller portion sizes. I ate quite a bit before! It was just kind of trimming it down to be more specific and getting as much protein in as possible, rather than fat. The sports scientist here got me on to a nutritionist and we work together.
“He gave me some nice food options. When you think about nutritionists, you think it’s really plain and just salads and that kind of thing. But it’s still things like chicken curry, Bolognese. All the nice foods you would eat normally, but just less fat and more protein.”
Wilson ended last season with a West of Scotland Premier Division title gong after a short spell on loan at Beith. And he said: “All due respect to Beith, it was a great club and it’s done so much for me but it does make you appreciate what you’ve got here, the facilities and stuff.
“It just showed me that there’s a different style to play compared to being in every day. Here you’re trying to play as best as possible on the ground, passing and movement and then you go down there.
“With all due respect to the sixth tier, it’s hoofball and smashing into tackles, you get what I mean? So it’s very different. If you’re not mentally up for it, it will take you by surprise.
“Nothing really ever happened to me, thank goodness, but just seeing some of the tackles… that doesn’t really happen at this level. The pitches aren’t the best. If it’s raining, your boot’s are sunk into the ground when you’re running.
“It’s just a fight really. If your team comes out on top, you win the game basically. It was one of the things that kind of made my career. You wouldn’t think it would, but it made my career.”