Próxima Jornada Player of the Week: Ryan Gauld

This weeks edition of Próxima Jornada Player of the Week is scooped by SC Farense’s Ryan Gauld!

The 24-year-old Scottish attacker netted his first ever career hat-trick against Académico Viseu, helping his side to a 3-1 win which sees SC Farense sit 2nd, level on points with Nacional at the top of LigaPro, Portugal’s second tier.

Gauld netted twice from the penalty spot and once from open play to inspire his side to a comeback, after initially going 1-0 down to an Anthony Carter goal. This performance from the player dubbed early in his career as the ‘Scottish Messi’ comes during a time when he is having a footballing revival, due to a string of top quality performances. This hat-trick builds on the two goals he scored last week against Vilafranquense and with 7 goals in his last 6 games, Ryan Gauld is showing that this is not just a ‘one off’, but he is here to finally make his mark on the Portuguese game.

You can watch the highlights of Farense’s game and Gauld’s hat-trick below

One of the main aspects of Ryan Gauld’s journey which I admire most is the determination and perseverance shown by him. Gauld could have easily opted to depart Portugal after his initial transfer to Sporting CP didn’t work out. However, after loan spells with Vitória SC, Aves, SC Farense and Hibs, he chose to sign permanently with Farense knowing he would have to work hard to gain and maintain a starting position. Since doing so, he has held down his place by demonstrating his technical ability, eye for a pass and goal-scoring instinct out on the pitch.

Promotion to the Primeira Liga will be at the top of SC Farense’s and Ryan Gauld’s list of ambitions and with an 8 point gap over themselves and CD Mafra in third place, promotion to the Primeira Liga is seemingly on the cards!

Parábens Ryan!