Inverness teenager living the dream playing in Premiership for Ross County
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
DYLAN Smith says playing professional football in the Premiership and taking to the field at Celtic Park is the dream he wanted to realise growing up as a child.
The former Culloden Academy pupil came on a substitute for Ross County in their 4-2 defeat against Celtic on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
Smith made his debut for the Staggies last season with Ross County in the Premiership with manager Malky Mackay hailing the defender as a big prospect for the future.
Smith (17) says he is thrilled to be part of the first team squad at Dingwall and says playing at venues such as Celtic Park is an ambition he is pleased that he has realised while still being a teenager.
Speaking about playing at Celtic Park as the champions held their flag raising celebrations, he said: “I used to watch Celtic as a kid and the atmosphere at the game was brilliant.
“It is the kind of thing you dream about, playing at these kind of stadiums, as a kid.
“It is like ticking it off the bucket list.”
Smith, who only left school last June, made a big impression on Mackay last season, earning a number of starts with the first team.
He says that his aim this season is to feature regularly with the first team and is confident that he will get his chance if he puts the hard work in.
Speaking about Mackay, Smith said: “I am trying to get his trust as he is giving me these big opportunities in these games and I just need to go out there and do my best for him.
“But first of all I am learning just to enjoy it. I am relishing the experience. I don’t think about it too much and just look to go out and do it.
“This season, I am looking to break into that starting 11 and push other centre backs for a place.
“There is friendly competition in the squad for places and we are all trying to do the best for the club.”
Smith says Ross County showed a lot of positives in their 4-2 defeat at Celtic Park.
He says the performance was a sign that they can have an improved season compared to the last campaign when they finished 11th place and avoid another relegation dogfight.
He thinks that they gave the champions something to think about early on, and despite leaving with no points is confident the Staggies can have a successful campaign.
“The boys had a really good go and Celtic then showed their class as they were clinical in the final third,” Smith admitted.
“But we pushed the best team in Scottish football in a close game so there are a lot of positives to take from the match.”
