Patrik Schick’s dad was always a nervous wreck when watching his son play from the touchline.
That edgy energy took over during an indoor game when Schick was 12 and it changed the course of the young man’s career. It involved a middle finger.
‘He was so involved in the game, and when I messed something up, he would put his face into his palms and shake his head,’ Schick said.
‘We played a hall tournament at Sparta Prague. My dad again shook his head and shouted something. I turned to him and showed him a middle finger. That moment changed something in my mind. I realised: Who really plays football here? Him or me? Me, certainly.’
That was back in 2008 and now Schick Snr stands a proud father. These days the middle finger is reserved for external detractors. With three goals in Czech Republic’s opening two matches — including that stunner at Hampden Park — he is the breakout star of Euro 2020. Level with Cristiano Ronaldo, his childhood hero, some at home are even wondering if the Golden Boot is attainable.
Schick’s second goal against Scotland was astonishing, a 50-yard effort from the halfway line, leaving an embarrassed David Marshall tangled in his own net. It is little wonder that Premier League clubs, including West Ham, are showing interest.
Roman Pivarnik, the coach who gave Schick his first opportunity in the Czech top flight at Bohemians Prague, believes the penalty he scored against Croatia — with a bloody, busted nose via Dejan Lovren’s flailing elbow — epitomises the striker.
‘Even when he got fouled and they had to stop the bleeding from his nose, he decided to take the penalty. It was a great example of his self-confidence,’ Pivarnik tells Sportsmail. The long-range beauty which soared beyond Marshall was hardly a surprise either.
‘Patrik always used to try exceptional things in training,’ Pivarnik says. ‘He would stay on the pitch after the session ended and try various tricks. Those two goals were also about his mental power.
‘He is growing into a better player and
