When Scott Jamieson returned to Australia last year after four seasons in England with Bolton Wanderers he came with a hurtful tag.

Jamieson was “the kid who failed in Europe”, a label applied to numerous young footballers who have won contracts with overseas clubs as teenagers, only to battle against sceptical managers, more settled squad rivals and distance from family and friends.

Adelaide United coach Aurelio Vidmar knew he was getting quality when he signed Jamieson in June, but the 20-year-old sensed others needing convincing.

“I think that’s what people thought about me, as ‘the one who came back, the one who failed’, but I was confident in my ability,” says Jamieson.

“When I got down here there was a bit of ‘the kid who failed’, but hopefully the way the team’s been playing and myself I’ve been able to turn a few people’s opinions.”

That’s an understatement.

As United prepared for the A-League finals and a first-up date with Melbourne Victory at Hindmarsh Stadium, Jamieson was basking in a Socceroos call-up, the award for league rising star, and common mention as one of the signings of the season.

“A lot’s happened this year and I’m still trying to get my head around what has happened,” Jamieson says.

National team coach Pim Verbeek is among his most ardent fans, telling reporters Jamieson has the potential to become the best left-sided player in the country.

“I was very flattered that Pim said it, but he’s also set the bar for me to try to get to and there’s still a lot of work to do that,” Jamieson said.

“There’s a bit of expectation from him that I’ve got to try to fulfil.”

Verbeek noted Jamieson’s consistency for one so young. He has barely played a bad match this season, and certainly didn’t put a foot wrong on his Socceroos debut against Indonesia.

He radiates energy and aggression and doesn’t take a backward step.

In these respects, Jamieson resembles the club that moulded him – Sam Allardyce’s Bolton, where for much of his stint the club’s Reebok Stadium home was among the most feared football arenas in England for opposing teams.

It was no fun to play Bolton for several seasons, and it has been no fun to oppose Jamieson in this one.

“All the teams in England were, not scared, but dreading the thought of coming to the Reebok,” Jamieson said.

“Under Sam it was like a well run machine, everyone knew their jobs around the club and it was a good place to be.

“On and off the field I became a better person and player and it was character-building to go over there and do well and then struggle a little.”

The struggle related largely to differing managerial opinions, which varied from Allardyce’s preference for getting Jamieson involved in everything, to current manager Gary Megson’s indifference.

So it was a happy change for Jamieson to find an enthusiastic backer in Vidmar, particularly after he was able to impress early in the season when injury kept Brazilian wing-back Cassio out.

Jamieson slipped comfortably into the back four where he has remained ever since, while Cassio has terrorised defences in a freer wide role ahead of him.

Aurelio’s brother Tony Vidmar has also been an influence this season, the former Socceroo applying his calmness and advice to eager ears.

“There’s been a lot of work put into the defensive side of our game and that’s a credit to Aurelio, Phil (Stubbins), Tony and the other coaches,” he said.

“They’ve done it throughout their lives in the game and have been there and done that, so I’m like a sponge really, just trying to take all of it in and get as much out of them as I can.”

© AAP 2012

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