Moyes: Top Scots could cut it in La Liga

David Moyes has had three months to assess different aspects of life on and off the park in La Liga with Real Sociedad.

Three things have struck him.

One is the passion the Basque people have when they play for or support their club. Another is the fact he has had to embrace their culture and can’t be a true Scotsman.

The other is that he feels Scottish footballers in the SPFL have the technical ability to play in the Spanish top flight.

As Scotland’s fortunes are on the up under Gordon Strachan, some of his players are in demand.

And in the past week we have seen Ryan Gauld start to hit it off at Sporting Lisbon after his £2.5-million transfer there from Dundee United last summer.

Moyes said: “I’ve worked with some outstanding footballers over the years at Everton and Manchester United, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing Scotsmen performing well and going to the top.

“I signed James McFadden and Steven Naismith for Everton. I had Darren Fletcher at United.

“I don’t have any Scottish players here at Real Sociedad, but having had a wee bit of time to study the game in Spain, I’ve no doubts that Scottish footballers have the mentality and technical ability to do well in Spanish football.

“Listen, the game is of a very high standard and La Liga has some of the finest players in the world. There are many other gifted players apart from the two obvious ones, Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

“Perhaps the biggest challenge any Scot would face would be the need to change culturally, and integrate fully into the way of life over here.

“It would be imperative to have that willingness. But if you can do that, then you are well on your way.

“Certainly, in this part of Spain, the Basque people are very proud of their heritage and culture.

“It even comes through in the players at the club they see it is a real privilege to play for ‘La Real’. I love that.

“I’ve taken it on board very quickly that I can’t be a Glaswegian over here. I’ve been taking Spanish lessons and so far have concentrated on learning the words and key phrases associated with football.

“Another thing myself and my assistant Billy McKinlay are aware of is that when they have lunch over here, they tend to take their time and can make an event of it.

“It’s not like back home when you quickly grab a sandwich or a bowl of soup on a working day.

“So there are a number of different things I’ve had to adapt to, but it has been really enjoyable. I have to say, life is good in San Sebastian. It’s a beautiful part of the world.”

Sociedad have moved up the table under Moyes, but are still not totally clear from the threat of relegation. But he has made them hard to beat and they have had a few clean sheets.

The highlight has been the 1-0 defeat of Barcelona. Such victories can be career-defining moments.

In case anyone was in any doubt after his spell at Old Trafford, Moyes is a top coach. In time, with all respect to Real Sociedad, he will get a crack at another huge club.

When that time does come, he will be better prepared and much wiser for his time at United, where he was sacked just 10 months after he succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson in the summer of 2013.

Moyes’ supporters insist had the club been more pro-active in the transfer market when he took over, and offered him a greater support network in key departments within Old Trafford, there wouldn’t have been the need to go for Louis van Gaal.

Moyes prefers not to look back.

He says: “I always wanted to work abroad, and being here has given me a feeling that my career is only just starting.

“Looking at the bigger picture, my knowledge of different players has improved, and it’s been great to see the different tactics and systems employed by the coaches out here.

“It would be nice to spend 10 or 15

minutes with the opposition management after games, but they don’t seem to do that here.

“However, I’ve just had a wee office given to me at the stadium, and I’ll encourage the coaching staff from our opponents to come in for a glass of Rioja.

“We can maybe exchange a wee idea or two, but we don’t necessarily have to talk about football.

“That said, as is the case everywhere, the most important thing is to win games.

“The Barcelona result was special and a nice one to be a part of. Our fans loved it.

“‘La Real’ have been great towards me, and have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome. When we are out for

dinner, they will shout ‘buena suerte’, which means ‘good luck’.

“But when they say it quickly, it sounds as though they are saying ‘big sweaty’ in English. It makes me smile!”

Moyes hopes to still be in a cheerful mood come full-time on Saturday night after their game at Real Madrid.

He says: “I’ve never managed at the Bernabeu, and always hoped it would have happened in a Champions League semi-final, or something like that.

“But we’re all looking forward to it.

“It will be nice to see Carlo Ancelotti again and his assistant, Paul Clement. Both are first-class men and excellent at their jobs.

“I always had a good working relationship with both when they were at Chelsea, and they’ve been very helpful to me with one or two steers during my time in Spain.

“Real Madrid are the No.1 team in European football and we know the size of the task we face.

“But it’s a game we must embrace and not be scared of.

“That mentality worked for us against Barcelona.”