IT is hard enough to make your name as a player without having to break out of the shadow of a famous footballing father, but rather than distance himself from comparisons with dad, former Blackburn Rovers forward Mike, George Newell is flattered to be mentioned in the same breath as his old man.

The young Motherwell forward has endured an injury-hit spell since joining up at Fir Park in the summer, but having recently returned to full fitness, he is eager to make his mark.

And he believes if he can measure up to his English Premiership-winning dad in any way, then he will be well on his way to establishing himself in Scottish football.

“My dad has been a massive influence on my career,” said Newell. “Everybody always says that I play like him and I look like him. Hopefully I can just do what I can do.

“My dad had a decent career and I don’t really want to admit that! But when I watch the videos of him our styles are identical. He has shown me his medals.

“It is a huge compliment that that people would say such things about me. He comes to watch me when he finds the time.

“He tries not to say anything to me at all, but he will give me advice and tell me stuff whenever he feels the need to.

“I just try to be like him and keep my head down and get on with the job in hand.”

The job at hand for Newell at present is to try to play his way into the Motherwell starting line-up for next weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final by starring against St Johnstone today.

“Hopefully I can prove a point and force my way into the team,” he said.