SO FIRST OF ALL, IN TERMS
OF YOUR OWN PLAYING
EXPERIENCES, WHAT HAS
BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHT SO
FAR OF 2013?
My highlight so far for North
Merchiston Boys Club would have
to be winning the league cup for the
second time in successive years. We
have been able to win a cup in each of
the past few years and this one was
special to us all. We beat Hutchie in
the final 1 - 0 after what was a poor
game overall, but nonetheless a win
is a win and everyone at Merchie
was delighted, especially after all
the effort we all put in that year. It
was made even more special as the
previous year we beat Hutchie in the
same cup, 4 - 1, in which I contributed
a hattrick, one of the best moments
of my life.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO
SEE YOUR TEAM ACHIEVE THIS
SEASON?
I would like us to progress as far as
we can in the Scottish cup, as this
would be our main objective, but also
do well in the league. These are two
trophies which we are very hungry
and passionate for and believe we
have the drive to take them far. In
the Scottish cup we have had very
good result, beating last year’s
semi-finalists - Cardonald Thistle 4
-1, in which we played some superb
football, showing positive signs for
the future. As for the league we have
made a good start, winning all but
one of our matches. The other cups
which we participate in, we would like
to make it as far as possible, at least
the quarter finals/semi-finals of each
one and of course ultimately get to a
final and win it.
HAVE YOU KEPT THE SAME
COACH FROM LAST YEAR? IF
SO HOW HAS IT HELPED WITH
THE AGE GROUP TRANSITION?
We have kept all of our coaches from
last year with one new addition. I
have to add that, all three coaches
from last year have been with our
age group at North Merchiston for
about 5/6 years and they have always
been superb with the lads. It is an
honour to have such dedicated and
loyal coaches and our new coach fits
the bill perfectly. All of our coaches
have raised the bar as they can see
our teams potential, and this has
enabled us to play a higher standard
of football. The level of training has
also become more intense, which
the whole squad is benefitting from.
Apart from that, we have settled
a lot easier than other teams this
season.This is because a lot of our
players have been able to progress
throughout the six years, having
all stuck together, so team morale
is high. The coaches are currently
planning to take us abroad on a tour
in Easter as a reward.
IS THERE A PARTICULAR
PLAYER IN YOUR SQUAD OR
ELSEWHERE AT YOUTH LEVEL
WE SHOULD BE KEEPING AN
EYE OUT FOR GOING INTO THE
NEW YEAR?
I previously played for Aberdeen
football club at Pro Youth level for
5 years, and one to watch out for is
Craig Storie. I played alongside him
for many years and he is now playing
for Aberdeen first team. He has
recently been loaned out to Forfar
for a month, but he is just simply
exceptional. In my squad I would have
to say that this year we have such a
strong and capable team, all fighting
for places and starts each week. Due
to this, it is too hard for me to choose
one player, as there are so many good
footballers at Merchie.
WHO IS YOUR FOOTBALLING
ICON AND WHY?
My footballing icon would have
to Rudi Skacel. I am a massive
Hearts fan and he is someone I paid
particular attention to throughout
his time at the club. He has great
skill, passion, enthusiasm and shows
respect and loyalty to the home fans.
He has to be one of the best strikers
of the ball I have ever seen and is not
just a hero to Hearts fans but is an
inspiration to myself.
Issue # 1 | YFS Magazine | 49