ℹ️ Oliver Goodbrand
Name: Oliver Goodbrand
Date of birth: 09/02/2009
Place of birth: Wishaw
Nationality: Scottish
Language: English
Club: Newcastle United FC
Favourite position: Left back
Favourite foot: Left foot
⚽️ Club History:
Rangers FC | Youth
Newcastle United FC | Youth-…
🎙️ Interview:
Introduce yourself…
Hi, my name is Oliver Goodbrand I’m 17 years old and I’m currently under professional contract with Newcastle United.
Did you always play left-back, or did you try different positions when you were younger?
When I was young I was a striker and actually was able to play in a lot of different positions at one point I was a winger a striker a midfielder and a defender. So I was moved around quite a lot. As I progressed through the academy At Rangers.
How did your move to Rangers first come about? And can you remember your first day at Rangers Academy?
My move to Rangers came about pretty quickly. I remember playing boys club for a few years and my dad had gotten a phone call and it was Rangers wanting to bring me in for a trial. I remember my first day I was really scared. It was really new to me and I remember thinking to myself that this isn’t for me.
Rangers FC has produced many talented young players over the years. What did you learn from being part of that pathway?
Being part of that pathway growing up through Rangers academy was very nice but one thing I learned was that how quickly football can change.
When did you first hear that Newcastle United were interested in signing you? And how were you welcomed by the players and staff?
Once I heard that Newcastle wanted to sign me I was buzzing. When I went down to visit I just had a really good feeling about the club. Staff and players were so welcoming which made my decision a lot easier.
What were your first impressions of the training facilities and environment? And what surprised you most during your first few weeks?
The facilities are amazing. You get treated very nicely at Newcastle and that’s something that I’ll always be grateful for. The thing that surprised me most was how well I fit in and how much I enjoyed my first few weeks. Moving country and 16 can be scary.
You signed your first professional contract with Newcastle earlier this year. How proud were you of that moment?
I was very proud to sign with Newcastle United. I worked really hard to be in the position I am right now and I also couldn’t do it without the support behind me. I’m very grateful.
What are the biggest differences you’ve noticed between youth football in Scotland and England?
Going through the youth I was always bigger and faster than everyone else and I found a lot of things in the game easier than I should have. Moving down to Newcastle and playing in the premier league you realise that everyone is as big and as fast as you. But the real different for me is the speed of the game.
You’ve captained Scotland at youth level. What does it mean to wear the captain’s armband for your country?
I am grateful so be able to represent my country and wear the armband. I love playing for my country and my goal is to play In the first team for Scotland.
What would success at Newcastle look like for you? And where do you hope to see yourself in five years’ time?
Success for me at Newcastle would look like, playing in the first team. That is my goal and that’s the reason I moved. I will keep working until I play for the first team.
