Josh hot stuff at Queen's after his life-changing Emirates adventure

But Josh Fowler reckons swapping his luxurious life in Dubai for the slightly less salubrious Scottish Championship gives him the best chance of striking it rich in the beautiful game.

- BY FRASER WILSON

The 23-year-old has hit a prosperous run of form since moving to Queen's Park from the Gulf in the summer.

He scored his 10th goal of the season in all competitions yesterday against St Johnstone, meaning that only East Kilbride's John Robertson has netted more across the top four divisions.

His strike rate is beginning to catch the eye but don't expect the limelight to knock Fowler off track - even if he is first to admit his journey to full-time football has been “a bit mental”.

Two years ago he was finishing the season as top scorer at Beith Juniors in the sixth tier of the Scottish game and combining his semiprofessional hobby with his full-time job as a joiner.

But after being handed the chance of a lifetime in the UAE by Gulf United, then Dubai City, the striker was soon ditching his woodworking tools and carving out the beginning of what he hopes is a successful career in football.

It's certainly a different route than many of his pals who tried their luck in pro club academies - some of whom don't even kick a ball any more.