David McGoldrick’s Tales of Southampton’s Bale, Walcott, and Lallana

McGoldrick, now 37 years old, and Bale, 35, were both handed their Saints debuts from the start in an April 2006 Championship clash with Millwall. Kenwyne Jones and Ricardo Fuller netted to seal a comfortable 2-0 win for the hosts, who finished 12th in the second tier under George Burley. Both would go on to represent Saints and become full senior internationals, although Bale's list of accomplishments extends much beyond that. McGoldrick insists five Champions League medals and seven different Footballer of the Year awards did not change the Welshman, speaking to Sky Bet. He said: “Gareth Bale was a bit quiet at first in his first year, but then he matured – he got physically better and then once he got into the team..." David McGoldrick still plays for Notts County in League Two (Image: PA) "We made our full debuts together against Millwall at home, and he was up and down that left-hand side.  "I spoke to him a couple of years ago when I played him against Tottenham and he's still the same humble guy, so that's the best thing about it all.” But McGoldrick insists it was another youngster on the books at the time who made an immediate impact after his move from Notts County. “I could always see their potential, especially Theo Walcott. When I first went to Southampton as a 16 year old, he was a year younger than me," he added. "He trained with us for the first time, on my first week there – and I've never seen someone so quick! It was like lightning going past me. I knew he was going to be a superstar." Saints were blessed with many talented youth products during McGoldrick's spell at the club, where he made 75 appearances between 2004-2009. One of them has returned to the club at 36 years old, and, when he's fit enough, remains a key player for Russell Martin's side.  “Adam Lallana is one of the best players I played with in terms of technical [ability] – left foot, right foot," McGoldrick said. "He's won the Premier League, played in the Premier League and with England for so many games, I knew he would go on."