CLINTON MORRISON has revealed he was “gutted” after his son quit a Premier League club academy as he did not “enjoy” football.
The Sky Sports pundit enjoyed a fruitful career on the pitch himself as he starred for the likes of Crystal Palace, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham City.
Shutterstock EditorialClinton Morrison was left gutted that his son Shay quit football[/caption]
Morrison played for the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace during his careerAction Images – Reuters
Morrison, 46, moved into broadcasting after he hung up his boots but wanted to see his son, Shay, grace the pitch one day.
He revealed that Shay was doing well while in the academy at Nottingham Forest before he called it quits.
Morrison told The Mirror: “He was in the academy. It’s gutting, to be fair. He was flying at Nottingham Forest.
“Then one day he came home at 14 or 15 and said, ‘Dad, I don’t enjoy football.’
“You can’t be a pushy parent and say, ‘I want you to be a footballer.’ It’s not in him to be a footballer, he doesn’t enjoy it.
“He probably went because he was young and he probably thought that’s what I wanted him to do.
“But when you get to that age, it’s kind of difficult.”
Shay has moved on from football and has studied at university.
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However, there is still hope for Morrison’s footballing lineage to be continued.
He has insisted his other son, Kian, has what it takes to go professional.
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He added: “My youngest, Kian, is good though, he’s got a great chance of being a professional.
“He’s not at a club at the moment because he wants to go and enjoy himself and play with his friends.
“But he’s got a good chance. But yeah, my oldest, Shay, he decided it wasn’t for him.
“He is now at uni and he is doing well. You have got to be a father, you can’t be pushy.
PA:Press AssociationMorrison played 36 times for the Republic of Ireland[/caption]
Getty – ContributorHe moved into broadcasting after retiring[/caption]
“Shay played as a striker, Kian plays as a centre-half.”
Morrison went as far as to suggest that Kian has a similar style to that of Manchester City and England star John Stones.
He said: “I’d say my youngest is in the mould of John Stones. If he can have half the career that John Stones had, I’ll take that.
“He doesn’t like to kick it, he just likes to play out from the back and defend. So we’ve got a chance here.”
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