Young Ross County defender Connall Ewan aims to use his Inverness Caley Thistle loan deal to push for Scottish Premiership action
Connall Ewan isn’t sure if he is entering enemy territory or making a homecoming after joining Caley Thistle.
Duncan Ferguson’s latest League One recruit has been reared in Ross County’s youth academy, but grew up in Inverness just a few miles from the Caledonian Stadium.
This, his third loan deal at the age of 19, takes him back across the Kessock Bridge to familiar territory.
He is now hoping to replicate the success of his first two stints playing mens’ football after winning player of the year awards in spells at both Forres Mechanics and Elgin City.
Ewan, highly-rated by Malky Mackay and now Don Cowie at County, said: “It’s a great opportunity to play a season here.
"It will be a step up from the levels I have played at and I want to improve and develop my game while I'm here.
"There are a lot of young boys here so I should fit in well.
"I'm from Inverness anyway and I played football in the city a lot when I was younger.
"I have seen plenty of Caley Thistle and Ross County games, so I just enjoy my football.
"This is my local team, and I knew a few of the boys here.
"Don Cowie is just keen to help and support my development.
"That progression is there with me trying to step up the leagues and to bridge that gap towards the County first-team.
"I am looking forward to the challenge.”
With injuries beginning to afflict Caley Thistle, Ewan could make an instant debut against Queens.
He said: “This is a new league for me and new teams and players to play against, so that's something else to look forward to.
"The Highland League experience at Forres was good for me.
"I needed that and then going from the Highland League to League Two was definitely the progression I wanted to make.
"The opportunity is there for me. I need to go and put myself out there. There's good competition for places at Caley Thistle, so I have to earn it.
"It will be a challenge against Queen of the South, but I am looking forward to it.”
