The brother of Love Island star Jay Younger said he wants his sibling to follow in the footsteps of family friend Calum Best and win the show.
Tom Younger, 29, has revealed that when football legend George Best played for Hibs, he left three-year-old son Calum in the care of Jay’s dad.
Investment analyst Jay has already revealed he is the proud grandson of former Scotland, Liverpool and Hibs goalkeeper Tommy Younger.
Best’s son Calum appeared on the 2006 series of Celebrity Love Island.
Now Jay, 28, is hoping to achieve the same Love Island success as the star his dad used to babysit for.
Tom, of Edinburgh, said: “When George played for Hibs, my father would take Calum Best to the cinema.”
Tom revealed that the former Man United star had an emotional link with his and Jay’s family.
Best had been a shock celebrity signing for Hibs in the 1979/1980 season as they battled to avoid relegation to the First Division.
He initially stayed with the Edinburgh club for a year, at a time when retired footballer Tommy was a Hibs director.
Tommy became SFA president but died suddenly, aged 53, in 1984.
George returned to Easter Road to take part in a one-off game in which all the Hibs team wore specially commissioned tops with the late goalkeeper’s name emblazoned across their chests.
The match had been a testimonial benefit game between Hibs and Newcastle United in honour of Hibs favourite Jackie McNamara Snr.
It was sponsored by the Tommy Younger Bar, a pub set up by Jay’s aunt Janis, in memory of her father.
Best gifted the signed Hibs shirt he wore to Jay’s dad, as a thank you for looking after his son.
Tom said: “Jackie McNamara Sr’s testimonial was sponsored by my aunty Janis. My grandfather was going to invest in a bar with my aunty prior to his passing. My aunt decided to proceed with the investment and called it the Tommy Younger Bar.
“George Best wanted to play in the testimonial game, as he played alongside Jackie at Hibs. George gave my father his number 7 shirt and signed it after the testimonial event.”
Television presenter and model Calum Best won Celebrity Love Island alongside Bianca Gascoigne, the daughter of footie star Paul.
The pair are not the only children of celeb footballers to appear on the show.
Contestants on this year’s series are unaware Gemma Owen, 19, is the daughter of former England and Liverpool striker Michael Owen.
Jay, who has caused a stir after being introduced to the show as a late addition, is deeply proud of his sporting heritage.
His family are delighted Jay’s appearance on Love Island has sparked renewed interest in his grandfather’s sporting career.
Tommy won 24 Scotland caps, four as captain, and played 181 times for Hibs and 120 for Liverpool.
This year he was inducted into the Hibernian Hall of Fame with tributes at the induction ceremony led by Kenny Dalglish.
Tom said: “Words cannot describe how proud we are of my grandfather.
“He achieved an exceptional amount in football.
“All our family were able to celebrate his recent induction into the Hibernian Hall of Fame.
“He is also part of the Liverpool Player ‘Roll of Honour’.
“When my grandfather died, while president of the Scottish FA, he had so much more to give to football.”
Jay was one of two new boys who entered the Love Island Spanish villa on Tuesday night’s episode of the romance reality show, which is on ITV2 and the ITV HUB.
He quickly caused a fallout after locking lips with fellow islander Ekin-Su, who had already formed a relationship with Davide.
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