Everton defender Eli Campbell hoping unfamiliar wing back role will aid development during Ross County loan
Ross County defender Eli Campbell is confident that playing in a different role will only be a benefit to him long-term.
The loanee from Everton was brought to Dingwall to be a centre back option, but with injuries to George Harmon and Josh Reid he has been forced to play wider in a wing-back role in recent matches.
It has been a learning curve for the 20-year-old, but while at times feeling like an uncomfortable fit he knows it will only improve his game going forward.
“I’m sure any footballer just wants to play, no matter what position it is,” Campbell reasoned.
“Whatever the manager wants me to do, I’ll do it to the best of my ability.
“I’ve played out there a tiny bit, not much, and at times it has been a little bit difficult because I haven’t been used to it, but I am enjoying it.
“Everything that I learn playing in that position is only going to help me in the future, so I’m just going to keep applying myself.
“I’m thankful to the manager for giving me an opportunity, and I need to take it.”
Campbell’s latest run out for County came against defending Premiership champions Celtic, where for a while it looked as though the Staggies would score a surprise victory thanks to Ronan Hale’s first half penalty.
Brendan Rodgers’ side grew into the game though, and key substitutions turned the game in their favour to win 2-1.
That was frustrating for the likes of Campbell – not so much because of pre-match expectations, but because of the situation they had found themselves in.
“It was a tough game, but the boys grafted for the whole 90 minutes,” he explained.
“We knew we would have to, because we knew Celtic’s quality. It’s just the levels of the players, and their fitness.
“It’s a challenge, but you only get better through challenges like that.
“Celtic were playing in the Champions League a few days before, so it’s a difficult game to play in but they are the games you want to play in.”
“At the same time, it’s always disappointing to lose a game in that way.
“There were so many positives from the game. The character that all the boys showed was really good, but when you’re ahead in a game you want to win – even against Celtic.”
Campbell has had to hit the ground running since signing for County, playing five games since signing towards the end of the summer transfer window.
He has enjoyed the opportunity to show what he can do, and while the international break sees him join up with the England Elite League for their matches against Italy and Czechia, it also provides a chance for reflection at club level.
“It’s been great – I’ve been playing, and it’s a highly competitive league,” he added.
“No matter who you play against it’s always going to be a tough game.
“It’s just important that we train well every day and put what we learn in training into practice in matches.
“It’s time for us to reflect, and we can see what we did well in the recent games and what we need to improve on. I’m optimistic about what we can do going forward.”
