Shetland footballer George Robesten backing himself to make an impact at Ross County after making competitive Staggies debut against Dundee United in Dingwall
George Robesten says making his Ross County debut will only fuel his desire to make an impact for the Staggies.
The 18-year-old, originally from Shetland, was brought on for the final 10 minutes against Dundee United last weekend to make his first competitive appearance for the club.
Having spent time on loan at both Nairn County and Clachnacuddin last season, as well as featuring for County in pre-season matches, the run-out marks a new peak in Robesten’s career.
He was unable to feature across the League Cup group stage this season due to a recurrence of a hamstring injury that brought his 2023/24 campaign to an early end, but the teenager says it was a reward for the work he has put in on and off the pitch to be ready for senior football.
“It was amazing to make my debut, it makes you feel like you want more,” Robesten smiled.
“I couldn’t be happier. This will fuel me to push forward and do better in training. I know I’m good enough now, and it’s nice to know the gaffer believes in me.
“I found out I would be in the squad on Friday. The gaffer pulled me into the office and said he wanted me on the bench.
“I was a bit shocked, so he had to say it twice because I was just sat there staring at him. I was overjoyed, so I had to settle down overnight and try to get some sleep.
“It was such a good feeling to get on. I saw the gaffer look at me and just thought ‘there’s no way’. I was just like wow, and trying to remember what I have to do.
“I was injured at the start of the season, because I had a hamstring injury at the end of last season and I re-tore it at the start of this season, so just getting back on the pitch was something I’ve dreamed of for a while now.
“I put my head down and worked on and off the pitch to show the gaffer all I can do in training, and getting into the squad is a reward. It shows me that what I’m doing is working, and it will fuel me to keep going.”
Robesten could be in line for more minutes this weekend as the Staggies prepare to travel to League Two outfit Spartans for a League Cup second round tie.
The youngster offers a different profile to practically any other player in the County squad as a natural winger who can provide width, and he hopes that will factor into Robesten establishing himself in the first team squad this season.
“I think I can make an impact,” he insisted.
“We don’t have a lot of wingers in the squad, so I’m a bit unique. Maybe I can be the difference between winning or losing a game, but we have to see if I get that faith in me during the season.
“Hopefully I will, and I will keep working hard to cement my place in the squad.
“I’m just blessed with what I’ve got – my pace, my power and my strength. I work so hard in the gym, and it’s finally coming back as a reward on the pitch and hopefully I can have a unique place in the squad this season.
“I’ll do my best now to take every chance I get. I see Spartans as a chance to get a lot of minutes.
“I got 10 against Dundee United, so I want to grow that and you never know what will happen by the end of the season. I never thought I would be here a few months ago, so who knows what I could be doing in a few months’ time.
“It would mean so much to go on a cup run. The club has lacked a bit of luck in the last few seasons, so it would mean so much to the owner and the gaffer to show that this team has a special quality.
“It does, and we do believe we can do really well this season in the cup and in the league.”
The minutes Robesten played against Dundee United will serve as a valuable learning experience, as the 18-year-old was exposed to top flight football for the first time.
He could certainly feel a difference in the tempo of play, but being on the pitch for a last-minute equaliser was a moment that will stay with the Shetlander for a long time.
“I don’t know if I saw it coming,” Robesten admitted.
“It was a very end-to-end game, there wasn’t much in it, and when I came on I was blown away at how quick it was.
“All you need is that little bit of quality, and we found the back of the net to save ourselves a point.
“We well deserved the goal. We did a lot of what we’ve been working on in training, and we were unlucky not to score the pen – any day in training, Broph is scoring that.
“It was overwhelming when we did score, because we know we’re good enough to get three points but when you’re in the 95th minute you’re just happy to get that point back.
“We managed to grab it back in the end, so we were happy in the dressing room but we know we can move forward and do better to get three points next time.”
