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Time on the sidelines will fuel USA youth international Jonathan Tomkinson to make most of Ross County chance





Ross County defender Jonathan Tomkinson says he is determined to use the frustration of his last six months as fuel to perform north of the border.

The Staggies loan signing moved to Dingwall from Norwich City last week, making his debut in the 1-1 draw against Hibernian in Dingwall.

Jonathan Tomkinson played the full match for Ross County last weekend in his first senior appearance in nine months. Picture: Ken Macpherson
Jonathan Tomkinson played the full match for Ross County last weekend in his first senior appearance in nine months. Picture: Ken Macpherson

That was Tomkinson’s first senior minutes since playing for Bradford City on loan from the Canaries last April, meaning the 22-year-old had gone nine months without playing.

Perhaps surprisingly, he felt comfortable in that run-out against Hibs, but having been used to regular football and then having that taken away he is determined to do everything he can to ensure that does not happen again.

“It has been a while since I have played in a first team game, so I was a bit nervous beforehand that it would take a minute to adjust to it,” he explained.

“If I’m being honest, I didn’t feel uncomfortable. I really enjoyed it, and it felt like flicking a switch from being outside of that environment to being back into it.

“I played a lot of games at Bradford, and I was probably spoiled in the sense I got used to playing in a big stadium with lots of fans, and playing meaningful games.

“To have that taken away in the last six months just made my drive 10 times higher. I was really eager to get back to that atmosphere, and experience that again.

“It was really a no-brainer to get here. The excitement for last weekend was massive, as it is for this weekend.

“On a personal note I want to play as many games as possible. There are not that many left, so if I can be a part of every one I am doing well.

“My personal goals are also shared with the team, in the sense that we want to finish in the top-six. That’s predominantly our main aim.”

Tomkinson is believed to be the first American to step on to the pitch for Ross County, writing his name in the history books regardless of what happens next.

Jonathan Tomkinson's path from the USA to Dingwall is an unusual one. Picture: Ken Macpherson
Jonathan Tomkinson's path from the USA to Dingwall is an unusual one. Picture: Ken Macpherson

Perhaps consequentially, his route to British football has been far from the standard pathway.

Growing up in Dallas, Texas, he played soccer growing up, but then on a holiday to visit family in his dad’s native Suffolk he would visit Ipswich’s training ground and talk his way into a trial.

The Tractor Boys’ head of recruitment at the time would move to Norwich City soon after, and take Tomkinson with him.

Making that jump could have been a big adjustment on and off the pitch, but Tomkinson has only felt the benefits of playing his football on this side of the Atlantic.

“Being half-English, I had a bit of experience of the culture,” he reasoned.

“I didn’t really experience too much culture shock off the pitch, but it’s a different culture in football. I went from training four times-a-week after school, to living and breathing football where I’m there every day and I’m not leaving until 5pm.

“That was probably the biggest change, but it’s also the most enjoyable one because it goes from almost being a hobby to my entire life.

“The trajectory dramatically increases because I’m getting so much repetition, and there’s so much more opportunity.

“Every day is a chance to get better. Being around the club, and the pitch for that many hours is a big opportunity to grow and develop.

“Opportunities like loans, and training with the first team, helps you to grow so much faster.”

Tomkinson has also won international caps at under-17s level, and was a part of the under-23 squad preparing for last summer’s Olympic Games.

US soccer has a shining star ahead of it as one of three co-hosts for next summer’s World Cup, and while that may feel a long way off for Tomkinson right now he admits it is a dream that occasionally enters his mind.

“It was a great experience being with the under-23s in preparation for the Olympics, which I narrowly missed out on,” he added.

“There have been quite a few players from that team who have either already played with the senior team, or have a chance to play with them as well.

“A lot of those players are playing in first divisions around the world. It’s a great group of players, and to be involved with that was very special.

“The World Cup is probably a bit of a long shot at the minute, but I still have the ambition.

“Dallas will be hosting the most games, and I would love to play back at home.”


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