I'M COUNTING MY BLESSINGS

Loan star Ethan loving life as a Bairns big boy

- BY ALAN ROBERTSON

BORROWED Bairn Ethan Williams feels blessed to be where he is... he only need look at the tattoo on his hand to jog his memory.

And the teenager insists staying humble-sage words from a Manchester United hero to a hopeful - will remain inked on his character as he eyes a pathway from Premiership to Premier League.

The winger made it four starts in succession in Falkirk's come-from-behind win at Motherwell last weekend, having checked in on loan from Old Trafford for the campaign.

Darren Fletcher (below), appointed Under-18s lead coach in the summer, has been among those checking in on the top talent who is honest enough to admit the level has left him shocked.

Not that a challenge will faze the 19-year-old who speaks with a maturity beyond his years, captured perhaps by the choice of word scrawled out on his right hand.

"It says blessed - I got this when I was 17 and got a crown on top of the 'e' because I'm Ethan," said the youngster from Gorton, not far from Manchester's city centre.

"They've got loads of motivational words up on the wall at the women's building (used by the academy) at United.