Scotland international duo test out their Italian with Serie A cult hero

A CAFE, a coffee, an ice cream and of course a copy of Gazetta Dello Sport.

That was the Saturday morning staple for Serie A fans in the 1990s.

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Tuning in for tifosi, flares, wild fans and ultras, not to mention some of the best players on the planet for a news round-up on a Saturday and live game every Sunday.

Gazzetta came off our Channel 4 screens in 2002 – when Billy Gilmour was still in nappies.

Che Adams, born six years earlier in the middle of the ‘Golazo’ glory days, may have been a little more aware – but not much.

Now they are staring in their own Scottish re-make of Football Italia – and have met up with legendary broadcaster James Richardson for the authentic Serie A experience.

He became synonymous for thousands of Brit-based fans for his luxurious and scenic Saturday morning catch-ups – and expertise and insight from Italy‘s top flight.

And he’s recently stepped up to chat, or should that be for a ‘parlare’ with two of the Italian-based Scottish stars now plying their trade in Italy.

Liam Henderson was the first of the modern era to make the step, followed by Aaron Hickey.

Then Lewis Ferguson aand Josh Doig followed – the former to great success – leading Bologna to the Champions League as captain.

This summer the ranks swelled by three as Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour signed for Napoli, and Che Adams joined Torino – top-of-the-table for the early part of the Serie A campaign.

And with the change in league also came with a change in culture.

Each have been settling in to a new way of life – and a new language.

Catching up with Richardson gave them a friendly English-speaking ear to test their Italian out as well as give an insight into their Ital;ian odyssey.

Gilmour admitted his language skills were “basic, very basic”.

He explained: “[ I can order] pasta or pizza, simple.

“Nah, but it’s just mostly when you’re going in the morning, you obviously want to try and show to the boys that you’re taking an interest. You don’t want to just keep speaking English and I’m sure they respect it when you’re trying.

“Of course, we’re going to mess up with the language sometimes and they have a laugh, but they know you’re trying.

“In team meetings, you pick up certain words from the analysis and you can hear words and you hear it on the pitch.

“Just because you’re around it so much, you start to pick up and you start using it and at first it does feel a bit strange because you’re saying it and you’re like, oh is that right or is that wrong? But you’ve got to get used to it and start applying it, I guess.”

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Adams added: “Similar, like bella, tutti bene, grazie, prego, all the basics.

“I’ve got my own teacher and just taking lessons every other day.

“It’s a difficult language to understand, but I think when you’re there for a certain amount of time you’ll get used to it.”

The duo discussed – in English – their experiences so far and their aims and ambitions for the Scottish national team as they gear up for a Nations League double-header against Croatia and Portugal.

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But as it came time to say goodbye to a TV and Serie A cult hero for millions, both made their move to show off their linguistic lessons.

Adams smiled: “Grazie”

But Richardson pressed further: “Grazie mille. Adesso, parliamo un po’, eh?”

Which translates as “a thousand thanks. Now, let’s talk a little, huh?”

And both say “Un po” – “a bit”.

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