Aaron rewarded for time in Peterhead
Friday, 30th Sep 2022“I was only a young lad, I went there in the January, he was great, he helped me and I learned a lot in my time up there.
Dunfermline right back Aaron Comrie came through the youth system at St Johnstone but his route to his first team starting debut involved loans at the age of 18 to Montrose in season 2015-2016 and to Peterhead the following season.
When Aaron returned to Saints he found himself making his starting debut in the 2-1 draw against Celtic at Celtic Park in August 2017.
Jim McInally will bring his Peterhead side to the KDM Group East End Park on Saturday and it was the 58 year old former Dundee United defender who was Aaron’s mentor while on loan to the Blue Toon. Aaron told the website:-
“He was the manager up there back then and he gave me a chance when I was only a young lad. I went up there in the January, he was great, he helped me and I learned a lot in my time up there.
“It was the second half of the season and they were struggling a wee bit. I was exposed to playing in high pressure games. I was in and out the team, my form was up and down so I would say it was a learning curve. It was one that brought me on because the season after I went on to make my debut at St Johnstone. It stood me in good stead, I enjoyed it and thank everyone up there because it is a really good club.”
Given his 16 appearances for Peterhead back in 2017 Aaron gave an insight into how he felt our next opponents would feel about coming to play Dunfermline and as the only other team in the league with a grass pitch he suggested it could be good for them:-
“It is a great place to play your football. When I played up there the surface at Peterhead was great and it’s the same at East End. I’m sure they will be coming down with a job to do and we will have to make sure that we are at it.”
As league leaders few could claim that the Pars have not been “at it” this season. Although the Clyde game is still outstanding because of the postponement due to the Queen’s passing, Aaron believes the first quarter has seen a good start to the season.
“I know that we have still to play Clyde but that’s pretty much the first quarter complete. We are unbeaten and there’s not much more that we could have asked for. It has been solid but there is still stuff to improve on and we will be looking to do that in the next quarter.”
The defence has formed a strong basis for the success with only two goals conceded in seven league matches. Aaron has been ever present this season and he commented on his role and preference:-
“I have been dropping in and out at right back and in the right of the back three. It has been good but I don’t think it is just the defence, the work rate from everyone has been really good and the standards that the manager sets are not negotiable. It has paid off so far.
“Preference? Just as long as I’m on the pitch! I am probably more natural at right back but I’m happy to step into a back three, it’s no problem.”
A week past Tuesday Aaron had a good run out in the reserves against Livingston and was more than happy to help out in the young team:-
“The manager asked me to play and it was no problem, I enjoyed it. It was a tough week last week with no game, it certainly wasn’t easy but I am looking forward to the games now.
“We are keen to keep the momentum going. That has been a big part of what we have done so far. In this game against Peterhead we want to get back to winning ways.”
In terms of personnel, Peterhead are a much changed team this season but there are still a couple of survivors from Aaron’s days there:-
“That was a while ago now, there are only a couple of familiar faces still there - Jordan Brown and Ryan Strachan. I’m looking forward to playing them, it should be a tough game but we will go into it prepared properly and we have had a break at the weekend so everyone is fresh and good to go.”
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