‘Crazy’ - Bristol City star draws inspiration from £100m Man City star and Liverpool legend

Bristol City talent Alex Scott has revealed that Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish is the player that he ‘models’ his game off.

The 19-year-old has been compared to the ex-Aston Villa man numerous times over the last 18 months, as Scott’s rise to one of the Championship’s biggest talents has unfolded.

Scott’s slick and, at times, jaw-dropping ability to beat players with a neat step over or body faint much resembles what idol Grealish was all about at Villa, prior to his £100 million move to the Sky Blues in 2021.

The Robins had to fight off approaches from Premier League teams in January for their most prized possession, and will no doubt have to do so again in the summer.

“Grealish has been mentioned for the past couple of years since I broke through,” he said. “He’s been the one I've modelled my game off.

“The way we dribble, the way we move on the pitch is very similar and I think he’s a special special player and one I look up to the most in football at the minute.”

Although still a teenager, Scott has featured in all but one of City’s 36 matches in all competitions this season. The side’s formation switch to 4-3-3 has allowed the youngster to get into attacking areas more of late, and his already high performance levels have been enhanced further by him being granted a freer role.

Grealish often operates from the left hand side, and Scott is open to a switch to the flank, but remains adamant that his future is in the thick of the action.

“I think naturally at the minute playing where I am, I feel like I drift out to the left most games. Zak (Vyner) has had a go at me for that because I'm never anywhere near him, he wants to pass me the ball but I’m always on the other side of the pitch! I’m playing as a 10 at the minute and I see my future as either a 10 or an 8.”

Kal Naismith recently likened Scott to Grealish, as well as Liverpool and England great Steven Gerrard, on the Open Goal podcast.

Scott’s perhaps unwanted record of nine yellow cards already this season is evidence that he’s not afraid to get stuck in in midfield, much like Gerrard wasn’t.

“Obviously Gerrard, everyone knows how good Gerrard was, I think it’s crazy to even be compared to him,” Scott said.

“He scored a lot more goals (than I do) and that’s something like I said that I want to be doing, I think how good he’s been for England and Liverpool over the past years is brilliant. I watched him when I was a bit younger, so I don't remember him as much as I do Grealish.

“I saw the podcast and it made me laugh just listening to Naisy, but being compared to them is an honour really. Hopefully, I can do even a quarter of what they’ve done in their careers... That would be special.”