Ryan Gauld makes good impression at Sporting Lisbon

Ryan Gauld scored twice for Scotland's Under-21s against Luxembourg

The president of Sporting Lisbon says he has been impressed by how Ryan Gauld has settled into life in Portugal.

Bruno de Carvalho believes the 18-year-old has shown maturity in dealing with the expectation that has accompanied his £3m move from Dundee United.

"Ryan is very level-headed," he said.

"There was a lot of buzz, especially in Scotland, from the media when he signed but you have to live with that. We as a club can help but the individual also has to deal with it and handle it."

And, speaking at the Soccerex Global Convention in Manchester, de Carvalho added: "I am very happy to see how Ryan has dealt with such attention."

The Sporting president acknowledged that many fans in Gauld's home country are keen to see the young midfielder follow in the footsteps of Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo, who came through the club's academy.

De Carvalho said: "He has the potential to be a top player, which is why we signed him on a six-year contract.

"He is an amazing young talent and as a club we have a history of developing potential. I am confident that Ryan can be a success story.

"I am told that to this day Cristiano spends six hours a day in training and he is the best player in the world.

"Ryan has to look at the likes of Cristiano and take him as an example. There is no great secret. It is about putting hard work in.

"I expect him to be a regular in the first team in the next two to three years."

Earlier this month Gauld, who has been playing in Sporting Lisbon's second-string team, was named in their Champions League squad.

On Monday he scored twice for Scotland's Under-21s in a 3-0 win in Luxembourg.