Sunderland starlet Chis Rigg is set for a big second half of the season amid transfer interest.
The majority of Lawson’s early years were spent with his boyhood club, Sunderland, where he gained professional and scholarship deals and gained knowledge from players like Lee Cattermole and John O’Shea.
Prior to scoring for the first team in a preseason game against Hartlepool United on the road under Gus Poyet, the former Thornhill School student competed for Sunderland at the under-18 and under-23 levels as well as in the EFL Trophy.
Despite having it all apparently at his fingertips, Lawson, 29, was severely limited by foot and back ailments sustained while playing for Wearside and eventually quit the team in order to pursue trials at Middlesbrough and West Ham.
“It is a lot to take at that age,” Lawson told The Echo when asked about 16-year-old Rigg. “I think there are talents that can be ruined at an early age. To go off subject but look at the darts, everyone is raving about Luke Littler because he is so young and that can sometimes go the wrong way if there’s too much hype.
“You have to leave them to get on with business and when they’re at the club they’ll know what business to get on with. Hopefully, when he gets on the pitch, that is when he will do his talking.
Advice-Wise
“Advice-wise, being in this position at a young age, you just have to keep yourself grounded and just get in there and work work work every day and soak up stuff from the players that are working around you, all those players who have made all those appearances whether it be Premier League, Championship or League One or League Two.
“He has to take as much advice as possible, which I know players will if they’re in a good club and a good dressing room. Soak as much information up as you can and really put that work in on the training pitch… let’s call it the ‘unseen hours’.”
In an effort to better and motivate the following generation, Lawson is currently providing young football coaching in Sunderland.
“I have set up my own football coaching service (CL Coaching) and I’m just trying to give back. Obviously, not playing has given me a little bit more platform to go and do it. All the experience I have had, I can pass on.
“That is what I am trying to do now. Getting players in to see me has been good and it has risen to a decent level now with one-to-ones. I want to start some group sessions too and create an enjoyable environment where people can come and express themselves. Then if someone does want to progress further, I do have a lot of contacts in the game, who I can pass players too.”