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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Fulham loanee looking to follow fellow Le Harve graduates Paul Pogba and Riyad Mahrez to the top

Pictures of Paul Pogba and Riyad Mahrez loom large at the Le Harve training centre in the port city of Northern France.

It's where countless French football stars have embarked on a journey that would take them to the top of the game - and Hamilton Accies striker John-Pierre Tiehi hopes he can follow in his countrymen's footsteps.

Coming through at Le Harve - where his father Joel, a fellow striker, spent the early part of his career - eight-year-old Tiehi cut his teeth at the academy, which has also produced former Rangers star Jean-Alain Boumsong, ex-PSG star Lassana Diarra and Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet.

Now 20 years old, Tiehi is on loan at New Douglas Park from English Premier League side Fulham and aiming to kick-start his senior career after spending the past few years with the youth team at Craven Cottage.

Le Harve remains his home and it is his upbringing there that still inspires him.

He said: "I was there from eight years old to 16 when I moved to Fulham so it was a long time.

"I still live in Le Harve because my dad played there for seven years and my family and friends are there. It will always be my home.

(Getty Images)

"All the photos of the players are hanging in the Le Harve training centre so you know all about the history.

"You've got Pogba, Mahrez, loads of players who have come through.

"It is a wall of big, big players and hopefully one day I can make it there because I would be very proud of myself if I did."

Riyad Mahrez also came through at Le Harve (Getty Images)

During his spell at Fulham, Tehi has been surrounded by top talent and he added: "My best friend is Fabio Carvalho at Liverpool so he was one of the most renowned that came through at Fulham with me and went on to play at a high level.

"I've got many friends like Cody Drameh at Leeds and Sylvester Jasper - who was at Hibs last season - so we are all still making our way through.

"We all want more and maybe we haven't really made it yet, but maybe we will have a conversation about that in five or six years."

Tiehi was brought north of the border by boss John Rankin in August and is still getting to grips with life in Scotland.

In his seven Accies appearances this season, he has one goal to his name so far, but feels he has adapted well to the style of play in the Scottish Championship.

He added: "It is a very physical league, very sharp and very quick as well.

French striker Jean-Pierre Tiehi is at Hamilton Accies on a season-long loan from Fulham (SNS Group)

"But I think I've done well for myself in terms of coping with the physicality.

"I was impressed by the level of the league because people can come up here and think you are going to be a five out of five but teams prepare properly and I'm actually pleased to be here because I'm learning a lot from the teams I've played against so far.

"It's been really good. After three or four weeks I really felt at home and I'm really grateful for that.

Tiehi with Accies boss John Rankin (Hamilton Academical FC)

"The gaffer is one of the best I have come across because he makes you so welcome.

"I'm very pleased to be here and I am just trying to show that on the pitch. I feel good here and hopefully I can score more goals."

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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