Shim Mheuka is thrilled to follow his England pal Mikey Moore to Glasgow, but the Celtic new boy insists he's the one who's made the right turn at the end of the road north.
Mheuka has arrived at Celtic on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea and is determined to make an impact. The 18-year-old kept close tabs on Moore's stint across the city at Rangers but jumped at the chance to move to the east end after speaking to his England Under-19s teammate.
Friendship with Mikey Moore
Mheuka said: "I've been part of the England squads with Mikey. I watched his games from last year. He's a good friend of mine so I spoke to him before I came here and he told me it's a beautiful city and I'd really enjoy it.
"It's more about what's best for me than what Mikey has done and what was the best next step in my development. But Mikey is a good friend and did really well. He told me I was on the wrong side of Glasgow but I told him, no I'm on the RIGHT side of the city!"
Mheuka got the lowdown on Glasgow from Moore, but it was his former player dad who gave him a nudge in the right direction. Malcolm Mheuka was a pro back in his homeland in Zimbabwe, starring for top-flight sides such as Zimbabwe Saints and Circle Cement. His old man was quick to give him the gen on Celtic as well as Parkhead boss Martin O'Neill.
Father's influence and heroes
Mheuka said: "He's been there for me all my life, along with my mum and my brother as well. It helps having a father who has played the game and understands the different elements of what to expect and what not to expect.
"I wouldn't be here without him. He's my best supporter – and also my harshest critic. He's always in the back of my mind when I'm playing, I think what he's thinking. He's been an amazing influence in my life.
"I've seen a few clips of him from playing back in Zimbabwe and seen him in the newspapers. He was a decent player. He played in midfield, either no.8 or no.10, but he had similar kinds of abilities – powerful, good on the ball.
"My dad spoke to me about the manager, but I think everyone in football knows about him. He's an amazing character who has done amazing things in the game. He's been in the game a long while so I can learn valuable lessons from him, not just in football but in life as well."
Mheuka, who has made a couple of appearances for the Chelsea first team, insisted he didn't need much persuading to head north from Stamford Bridge. He said: "It's everything really, from the way they play football, to the fanbase and the league itself. Everything attached me to the club. Celtic is the perfect step for me in my development, and to take me to the next level.
"Coming to Scotland there's more excitement than nerves. I moved from Brighton to Chelsea early in my academy days as well, so it doesn't faze me. It's part of football and I like to think I can take it in my stride. I'm enjoying this new challenge."
Highly-rated Mheuka is his own man, but he admitted he's been inspired by the likes of Chelsea legend Didier Drogba. He said: "I had a few heroes. Obviously Drogba at Chelsea. I didn't really get to see R9 but I like to watch his clips. Luis Suarez, Harry Kane as well.
"Those are players I like to base my game off, taking bits from them, as they are a variety of great strikers. I've never met Drogba, unfortunately, but legends like John Terry have been there. There are world class players to learn from at Chelsea. I've learned a lot from Reece James, who is amazing, World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez, in my position there's Joao Pedro, Nicolas Jackson. It's about being a sponge and soaking up as much as I can from all of them."
Domestic focus and disallowed goal
Mheuka came off the bench for the Blues in a Champions League clash in Astana, but he won't be involved in the Europa League group stage after O'Neill had to make sacrifices to cut his squad. The 18-year-old insisted he's happy to target the home front.
He said: "It's not so much a disappointment, I can just focus domestically and do the best I can whenever I'm asked to play, either from the start or the bench. My focus was just on coming to Celtic, not really thinking about the (Euro) squads.
"All I can do is focus on what I am asked to do. I just want to make an impact when I can. I love to score goals. I'm only 18, so I know I have a long way to go and it's about learning from the other players. But hopefully I can score a few goals along the way."
Mheuka made an impressive cameo from the bench at St Mirren at the weekend – and thought he'd got off the mark before referee Ryan Lee ruled it out for offside despite VAR being unable to work it out. The frontman said: "It's been amazing so far. I thought I'd scored the other night, but that's football.
"Hopefully that's just a teaser and there will be plenty of more opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net. I can't dwell on it too much. There's mixed emotions, one moment you think you've scored, the next it's taken away from you. It's part of the game, so on to the next one."
