GREG CUNNINGHAM said Mason Melia must back himself and have no regrets when he moves to Tottenham.
Galway United skipper Cunningham will come face to face with St Patrick’s Athletic 17-year-old star Melia in Friday night’s televised clash at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Melia will likely start on the bench as he regains his full match sharpness after a back injury that kept him out for much of pre-season.
But all eyes will be on him if he does make a cameo as he is set to join Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur in a €2 million deal next January.
It is a big move and Cunningham, 34, knows how difficult it can be to make it at a big club having made five appearances as a teenager for Manchester City.
He went on to win four Ireland caps, was signed by Cardiff City for £4 million and made 358 appearances in England before moving home to Galway last year.
And he believes Melia has a great opportunity ahead of him.
Cunningham said: “It’s probably getting tougher.
“Over the last few years, every top player from any country in the world is going to the Premier League because that’s where everyone wants to play.
“So the opportunity might be that bit slimmer. But when you do go across, you have to back yourself, you’re going to be a success whatever that looks like.
“You have yourself and give everything and have no regrets and see where that takes you.
“I’ve had a great career to date and I’m very proud of getting across the water and being across for so long.”
Cunningham does not know Melia personally, but has been impressed with what he has seen as he has taken the League of Ireland by storm since making his debut at 15.
The Galway defender added: “I think it’s fantastic that the manager feels he is up to senior football at that age.
“Mason Melia has burst on the scene and got his move to Spurs. That’s testament to him. It’s no fluke, he’s probably got great coaches in the underage set-up.”
But Cunningham has backed himself to keep the teenage prodigy quiet on Friday night as he targets a strong season with Galway United.
He continued: “I’m getting older, when you come up against the younger kids…where they’ve got the legs, you’ve got to use the experience.
“I haven’t come home to chill out and get a few games here and there. I really have to be at my best to be performing and that’s credit to the league.
“We want to move forward and progress as a team and a club. We’re under no illusions, we probably had the lament of surprise last year.
“This year, teams are stronger and have recruited well. It’s going to be a really tight and fascinating league.”
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