Jude Bellingham provides St Mirren inspiration for Caolan Boyd-Munce as Birmingham pal's rise proves pro call correct

Caolan Boyd-Munce will use the success of his old team-mate and Real Madrid superstar Jude Bellingham as his inspiration to raise the bar with St Mirren.

The 23-year-old Irishman shared a dressing room with the England star during their time at Birmingham City. Only for fate to play a hand in the diverging fortunes for the pair’s careers. As Bellingham became one of the most talked-about players in world football, Boyd-Munce was in danger of drifting out of the game. He even considered pursuing a career as a lawyer. It’s been a torrid few years for the Belfast-born midfielder but he insists he’s found his happy place in Paisley.

And he will use his old pal’s meteoric progress as proof he’s made the right call to remain in professional football. He said: “I played with Jude and we both made our debuts at Birmingham on the same day. I find it inspiring to watch him come through. I replaced him on my Championship debut and we were good mates. It’s his character that sets him apart. His family played a massive part in that. I moved there when I was 16-year-old and he was three years younger than me.

“He would have been around us constantly, every day. No matter what was put in front of him, it didn’t phase him. He wasn’t quiet about it, if there was something he didn’t agree with then he would have said it.

“The older he got, the more mature he got and when he speaks in front of the camera people must think he’s really well trained – but it’s just him. He knows what to say and how and when to say it.

“His mum and dad are the same and they’ve kept him well grounded. He was just a phenomenal footballer. The things he tried as a kid, you wouldn’t even think of doing it.

“When he was 15, the senior lads said he was going to