Q&A: Cambridge United’s Brad Halliday

Shoot! recently caught up with Cambridge United’s Brad Halliday as the defender works his way back to fitness following injury.

The 21-year-old, who arrived at The Abbey Stadium back in August 2016 after leaving Premier League side Middlesbrough, spoke to us exclusively about leaving his boyhood club, settling in Cambridge, his League Two play-off ambitions, before opening up on team-mate Piero Mingoia and manager Shaun Derry.

Halliday, who has made 22 appearances in all competitions for Cambridge so far this season, then sat down to take on Shoot!‘s quick-fire Q&A Challenge…

Who is your footballing idol? “I probably don’t watch as much football as I should now, but Paul Scholes was definitely my idol when I was growing up as a kid. He has always been my favourite player.”

Do you have a celebrity crush? “Margot Robbie.”

What is the best advice you have ever received? “Probably just off my dad, he said, “If you’re happy, go and do it”.”

What is your most embarrassing moment in football? “Had to be at Accrington [Stanley] last year. The ball has been cleared from our corner and I’m the last man. The striker is chasing me down and I go to clear the ball, but I’ve booted it at my own face and it went into the path of the striker, who was closing me down, and he goes and scores.”

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes.

If you could choose three dinner guests, past or present, who would they be? “Paul Scholes, because he is my idol. I would have my dad there, he has chauffeured me here, there and everywhere. And Anthony Joshua.”

What is your favourite song? “Don’t know a favourite song, but my favourite band is Oasis.”

What about your favourite film? “Home Alone or Harry Potter.”

If you weren’t a footballer, what would you be? “I think I would have been in the army, as a Royal Marine. I applied for the army when I was leaving college, just before I signed for Middlesbrough. Or a boxer. You should see me with the gloves on!”

What do you like to do on your days off? “I like to be active, either play golf, go to the gym or the cinema, going out for food. Plus, I play the Xbox.”

Who is the best player you have ever played against? “Wilfried Zaha. It was for Middlesbrough Under-21s against Manchester United. He came on my side, but after about five minutes, he switched flanks and I was thankful!”

Former Red Devil Wilfried Zaha.

What is your favourite match you’ve played in? “Probably say against Dover [Athletic] away this season in the FA Cup. We drew at our place, 1-1, went to Dover and ended up scoring late on in normal time to draw and get extra-time. Then we scored again late on to win it (4-2).”

What is your favourite pre-match meal? “Spaghetti carbonara.”

Pick one manager you would love to work with? “Sir Alex Ferguson, having grown up supporting Manchester United.”

Tell us something we wouldn’t know about you? “I was actually born in Spain, so my Wikipedia page is wrong! It says I was born in England. My mum and dad had a restaurant in Spain and I moved to England when I was four.”

What’s the one thing you can’t live without? “Probably my phone.”