Junior Hoilett was so impressed with Ryan Gauld as a Vancouver team mate he tried to tap him up for Canada duty. But his efforts were in vain and Gauld only ever had eyes on getting back in the Scotland squad.
The 28-year-old won a Scotland recall after a decade in the last international window and won his first two caps as a second half substitute in the Nations League defeats to Poland and Portugal. However, with Gauld in the international wilderness a year ago and qualifying for the Maple Leafs through residency rules Hoilett tested the water over a switch of allegiance.
But the former Dundee United and Sporting Lisbon ace was having none of it. Hibs winger Hoilett said: “I was trying to tap him up, but he wasn’t budging. Every time I mentioned coming to play for Canada, he wasn’t having it.
“He always wanted to play for the national team. That was his goal, and I hope he can get many more call-ups. I was only at Vancouver for a short spell. I think I was only there for one or two international windows.
“So I didn’t really know about the past but I know Ryan’s always been following the Scottish league and the Scottish national team. And I know he was over the moon when he got the call-up. I’m so happy for him, he deserved it. He’s a very hard worker and a very talented player.”
Gauld helped Vancouver to a third successive Canadian Championship last month and has become a hero among the Whitecaps fans, scoring 37 times in 130 appearances. But former Blackburn and Cardiff ace Hoilett insists there’s far more to his game than just goals.
He said: “For Ryan to get recognised and get back into the national team, he’s been waiting for that call for ages. It’s well deserved. What he’s been doing over in Vancouver for the past three years has been amazing. His stats speak for themselves. I’m so delighted for him.
“I messaged him when he got called up. Like I said, it’’s well deserved. He’s not only a class player, but a class human as well. Ryan’s so talented. What he does on the ball as well as off the ball. His hard work, the way he runs relentlessly, as well as his end product and his final touches. The way he brings the team into play, he deserves to be on the highest level.”