Kieran Biggar could be heading for bigger things

Photos (Top to Bottom): Eleven-year-old Kieran Biggar is the target of foreign scouts; Kieran with his father, Neil Biggar, of Metro; Neil (back row, second from left) as Metro's senior keeper; Kieran's grandfather, Bobby Biggar (second from right, back row) in a Caledonians side of the late 1960s; Neil's uncle, John Biggar (second from left, back row) and Kieran's great grandfather, Jimmy Biggar (extreme left, back row) in a Caledonians side of about 1963; John Biggar pours the champagne as Caledonians celebrate a title in 1960.

Eleven-year-old local footballer Kieran Biggar has been targeted by scouts representing Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Real Zaragoza.

Biggar is a member of Metro’s under-13 team this year and plays as a sweeper. He comes from a family with a huge football background.

His father, Neil, was a goalkeeper with Metro, while his grandfather, Bobby Biggar, played as a sweeper with Caledonians and White Eagles.

Bobby’s brother, the late John Biggar, was a sweeper with Caledonians and also played in northern Tasmania with some distinction.

Kieran’s great grandfather was involved with Caledonians after arriving from Kilmarnock in Scotland in the 1950s.

“Kieran went away to Canberra in February representing Tasmania and playing Futsal and, while there, he was noticed by some scouts who are representing Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Real Zaragoza in Spain,” said Kieran’s father, Neil.

“They’re coming down to Tasmania in April to give him trials. He’s the only boy from Tassie picked up by them. There are a few boys from New South Wales coming, too, and my boy.

“He was playing Futsal when they spotted him, but they obviously picked up enough of what he can do and they want him for the outdoor game.

“He’s absolutely stoked so I’m going to have to do some road runs with him and get him fit and, hopefully, give him some idea of what he’s in for.

“He’s a sweeper, so he’s definitely skipped a generation. My father, Bob Biggar, was a sweeper, and I’m a goalkeeper and now my boy’s a sweeper.

“I’m lost for words. It’s pretty amazing, really, considering he went up there to play in a Futsal competition and now I’m talking to guys from London.”

Kieran played up a year for Metro’s under-12s last season.

“We played the whole team up a year because, basically, they were too good for the competition in that age group, so, again this year, they’ll be under-13s and, again, playing up a year for Metro,” said Neil.

“We’ll be starting pre-season soon on and it’s pretty much a full-on year for them as Futsal starts again when the outdoor season ends.

“It’ll be full on, which means a lot of travel.”

Kieran is a Liverpool supporter, as is his father, but he doesn’t mind that the trial is for other English and European clubs.

“I was playing Futsal in Canberra and the selectors came and asked me to go for trials in Devonport in April,” Kieran said.

“Dad’s a Liverpool supporter and so I’ve got lots of photos, pennants and so on from Liverpool in my room.”

Kieran’s grandfather, Bob Biggar, apart from playing for Caledonians and White Eagles, also represented Tasmania at under-16 level.