Midfielder's similarities with the Manchester United star go beyond hair colour as the sides meet on final day of season
At some point on Sunday afternoon, a small central midfielder with bonfire-bright hair and impressive composure on the ball will almost inevitably be serenaded by Sunderland fans.
"It's Colback you know, you'll never believe he's not Scholes," has become something of an anthem to Jack Colback and on Sunday, when title-chasing Manchester United visit the Stadium of Light, he may even be up against the original.
"I often get compared to Paul Scholes," says the left-footed 22-year-old, who is now one of the first names on Martin O'Neill's team sheet. "But more so because of the red hair than the ability. I've not played against Scholes, but, hopefully, that's about to change."
Modest to a fault, Colback has always been big on self-deprecation. While even his biggest fans would agree he is still some way from becoming "the new Scholes", O'Neill believes a player watched regularly by Stuart Pearce in recent weeks is capable of eventually challenging for England honours.
"Why shouldn't Jack aim for that?" Sunderland's manager asks. "Left-footed players are infinitely more attractive to watch than right-footed ones and Jack's got lovely ball control, and a deceptive little turn. I think he's up for the [England] challenge."
Colback has blossomed since O'Neill succeeded Steve Bruce. "He treats you like you're his best mate, that's why he gets so much out of us," says Colback. "Martin O'Neill shows a lot of care towards you and takes time to talk to everyone privately. You want to do well for him, so he's able to get that extra bit out of people."
Roy Keane's man-management sometimes proved rather less holistic, but Northumberland-born Colback – the only Sunderland academy graduate currently in the first team – owes his breakthrough to the Irishman. During his time in charge on Wearside, Keane had a soft spot for the then physically underdeveloped young reserve with an eye for a pass, an ability to read a game and a reassuringly down-to-earth demeanour. When he became Ipswich manager, he swiftly transported Colback on loan to Portman Road, where he would win the 2009-10 player of the year award.
By the time Keane was sacked at Portman Road, in January 2011, his abrasive approach had reportedly turned certain Ipswich players into nervous wrecks. Colback, who later that January received a rare "good luck" call from the former Manchester United captain, was merely grateful. "Roy did come down pretty hard on a few of the others at Ipswich, but he was great to me," he says. "He told me to believe in my ability and, having played in the same position, he taught me a few things about the game which are really helping now. He was very good at building my confidence up.
"I've been on the receiving end of a few of his dressing-room tantrums, but he only did that when it was deserved, when the team hadn't performed. And, much as he could really dish it out, he was always very quick to praise you when you did well.
"I hope Roy comes back into management. He adds a lot to the game and I think he could be a big success in the future. He's still young for a manager and I'm sure he'll have learnt from his mistakes."
Chatting to Colback about the game's pressures it is easy to understand why the pair's admiration was mutual. "My dad's a managing technician at an architects in Newcastle, doing drawings and clever scientific stuff," he says. "If they get the measurements of any building wrong it can be disastrous. That really is a lot of pressure."
This ability to appreciate the bigger picture promises to serve him well, but one shock could still be in store for Colback, his girlfriend, Joanne, and their six-week-old daughter, Lily. "We live in Newcastle, but fortunately I don't get much banter from their fans because I very rarely get recognised," he says. "Pushing the baby in her pram or doing the shopping I'm under the radar."
A decent performance against another redhead on Sunday could spell the beginning of the end of such anonymity. Read More
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