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Dylan Smith insists Ross County teenagers are ready to step up to Premiership as Scotland youth international returns to Staggies fold alongside George Robesten and Andrew MacLeod





Dylan Smith is confident that Ross County’s headline-making teenage trio are ready to make the jump up to Premiership football.

Smith was one of three youngsters back in the Staggies fold for their league match against Hibernian last Saturday, joining George Robesten and Andrew MacLeod in the matchday squad after being recalled from their respective loans.

Dylan Smith is optimistic about what the future holds for Ross County's young trio. Picture: Ken Macpherson
Dylan Smith is optimistic about what the future holds for Ross County's young trio. Picture: Ken Macpherson

Robesten was handed a first start for County, while MacLeod came on to make his Premiership debut and Smith made his first Premiership appearance since December 2023.

Having been called the future of the club last week by manager Don Cowie, Smith believes all three youngsters are determined to break into the starting 11 after their time elsewhere to play regularly in the first half of the season.

“It’s a big compliment from him that he sees us as the future of the club,” Smith explained.

“We can take that in our stride as we’re playing here. George got his first start, and I thought he was excellent. Andy came on, and I did too at the end, so I feel like we’re all ready to make this jump and we just have to prove ourselves now.

“When we get this time on the pitch, we’ve just got to show our best.

“George has done really well to start, and I feel like he has made that spot his after Saturday. Hopefully he will start more games, and Andy came on and did really well too – he was really composed and broke everything down.

George Robesten made his first Premiership start for Ross County against Hibs. Picture: Ken Macpherson
George Robesten made his first Premiership start for Ross County against Hibs. Picture: Ken Macpherson

“I came on near the end at right back and tried to create something, so thankfully we scored from what Andy and George did.

“When we first all came in as apprentices, I think we were just excited to be involved in the first team environment.

“We enjoyed that first year, but now we’re a bit older and we come to the realisation that we all want to be playing here.

“It’s not just about trying to get a good loan, I think we have all really developed well on and off the pitch and we can try and get into the first team.”

Andrew MacLeod came off the bench against Hibernian to make his first top flight appearance for the Staggies. Picture: Ken Macpherson
Andrew MacLeod came off the bench against Hibernian to make his first top flight appearance for the Staggies. Picture: Ken Macpherson

While Robesten and MacLeod returned to the Highland League with Brora Rangers, Scotland youth international Smith spent the first half of the season in League One with Arbroath.

Lining up alongside former County captain Keith Watson, ex-Culloden Academy pupil Smith was full of praise for the impact his time at Gayfield has had.

“Arbroath gave me that game time to develop even more after my injury,” Smith added.

“It was a long spell on the sidelines, but I’m coming back here with a lot of confidence and I hope I’ll thrive here.

“I’ve played in various positions for Arbroath, right back and centre back, so I’ve improved both attacking and defensively.

“I feel like I’m more confident on the ball, and my physical game is obviously going to improve playing against those bigger boys in League One.

“I feel like I have come on leaps and bounds.”


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