In this episode of the Boots to Billing podcast, host Alan McFadden and co-host Chris Fahey sit down with former Scottish football prodigy Jamie McCluskey, who at just 16 became the youngest player to appear in the SPL for Hibernian.
Jamie opens up about his incredible journey through Scottish football – from convincing a young Steven Fletcher to come along to his Hibs trial, to rubbing shoulders with legends like Derek Riordan, Gary Caldwell, and Stephen Glass in the Easter Road dressing room. He shares honest reflections on what it was like to be thrown into first-team training as a fearless teenager and why he believes that mentality has been lost in the modern game.
The conversation takes us through the highs and lows of his career – from European nights to injury setbacks, a surreal trial at Partizan Belgrade where his dad told him to "take the jail sentence" rather than come home, and finding his feet at Wrexham under Dean Saunders.
Jamie also reflects on winning the Scottish League title alongside his younger brother Stefan – a moment that brought his football journey full circle. Now successfully transitioned into business, Jamie discusses the parallels between the dressing room and the boardroom, and why the skills learned in football translate so well into sales and recruitment.
This episode was sponsored by Radio – Glasgow's brand new Irish-American bar on Soho Street, owned by former footballer Adam Coley. Good Guinness, live music, and amazing pizza slices.