Emilio Izaguirre junior has opened up on the criticism he is facing due to his family name.
Izaguirre senior is a Honduras legend, ranking fifth in all-time appearances for the national team. In seven years at Celtic, he made over 250 appearances, establishing himself as a cult hero.
He is now the sporting director of Motagua, the club where he started his career. The club have faced accusations of nepotism as his son, a 17-year-old winger, has emerged on the fringes of the first team.
This criticism is often directed at Izaguirre Jr. himself when on the pitch, as the youngster has explained.
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Emilio Izaguirre Jr: I don’t pay attention to criticism
Speaking to Diario Deportivo, Izaguirre Jr. said: “Obviously, I receive a lot of criticism, and my mum is the one who suffers the most, the one who feels it the most.
“She talks to me, and tells me not to pay attention.
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“Like in the case right now. I don’t know if you saw the game, all the fans were shouting only at me. Number 33, Emilio Izaguirre, saying to take him out, that his ankles are bad… but I don’t pay attention to that.”
On his playing career in general, the teenager said: “It’s important because I have a big responsibility when it comes to playing, whether it’s the first team or the reserves.
“People have quite a few opinions about my case, and so most of the time it’s up to me to show people that I’m here because of my own merits.
“But thank God, I’m getting the opportunity to fill my dream, the dream of many, and I learn every day from the manager.
“Obviously, what my Dad did is quite important for Honduran football, but thank God, I focus on doing things well and that’s the most important thing for me.”
On his relationship with his father, Izaguirre Jr said: “No, [my friends don’t treat my dad differently].
“My friends, my circle… the truth is, they understand. They see my dad as just another Dad, because at the end of the day, before being a sporting director, before being Emilio Izaguirre, my dad is my dad.
“He doesn’t implement at home, like ‘Ah, I’m your boss, I’m this.” No, no. My dad is someone I can talk to, someone I can trust. He’s a normal, ordinary dad to everyone.”
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The Celtic career of Emilio Izaguirre
Brought to Glasgow from Motagua in 2010, Izaguirre was an immediate revelation. In a stellar debut season, he was named SPL Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Writers’ Player of the Year.
He was even linked with Manchester United, addressing the rumours publicly. However, his momentum was abruptly ended by a broken ankle in August 2011.
He remained Celtic’s first-choice left-back for several years, until the emergence of Kieran Tierney in 2015. A red card for Izaguirre against Ajax in the Europa League allowed an 18-year-old Tierney to take his place against Fenerbahce, and the rest is history.
Under Brendan Rodgers, he was used as more of a squad player, returning to Glasgow for a second spell after a year in Saudi Arabia.
He won 12 trophies at Celtic.
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