Ewan Otoo first interview

“I was ready for it, and looking forward to it, and hopefully that showed in the way I played.

New signing Ewan Otoo experienced playing against Dunfermline in the SPFL Trust Trophy when Celtic B came to the KDM Group East End Park in November and the 20 year old recalled his thoughts of that game, revealing that had a big sway in his desire to spend the rest of the season with the club:-

"We played against them in the Trust Trophy and I thought it was one of the hardest games we`ve played this season. They were a top side. Obviously, they won the game on the night, and, after that, I knew it was a very good level, with very good quality players. I didn`t have any doubt about it when I heard about the interest."

What Ewan hadn’t bargained for was his baptism of fire at Airdrie the day after his loan was agreed. He admitted that it had been an unbelievable debut:-

“I couldn`t have asked for anything better. I was ready for it, and looking forward to it, and hopefully that showed in the way I played. The fans were brilliant, and the character the boys showed in the second half was unbelievable, so I`m delighted with it.”

Given the options on the bench the Celtic B captain took pride in the fact that when his new gaffer looked around after 30 minutes and chose Ewan to try and turnaround the game for him. The Pars had a ‘goal’ disallowed when Craig Wighton had netted in 17 minutes only for Airdrie to go ahead 12 minutes later. Not long after Ewan was introduced the Diamonds doubled their lead and he described how he felt at that stage:-

"Very shocked, but you`ve got to be ready for everything, don`t you? You`ve got to be prepared to come in in any situation, be prepared to react to any situation, and that goes for the whole team. I`m absolutely delighted.

"It was unbelievable from the boys. Every single boy played their part I think. We defended with everything we had, and I just had the belief the full second half we were going to win the game, and I think that showed in the final result."

For Ewan the turning point came with the manager’s half time team talk:-

"I think the gaffer got into us at half-time and asked us to show a bit of character, a bit of pride, and we just had to stand up for ourselves. We had to show everyone that was there we`re better than that, come out in the second half and show the quality we have, the kind of players we have.

"We believed the keeper should have been sent off but, listen, that was outwith our control. We just control what we can control and, at the end of the day, we got the result we went there for.”

Ewan showed great versatility as he switched to play several roles during his game. Although arriving with a record as playing in defence at left back and left centre back, Ewan claimed that he was more than comfortable to play in midfield:-

“I feel like I`m strong in each of those positions so, hopefully, I can show that towards the end of the season, over the course of the games we`ve got, that I can play in a number of different positions.

"It has been a bit of a whirlwind. I got in, my first day on Friday, got a good training session, and the move was in the making over the last couple of weeks, so it was good to finally get it done.

"I think it`s the right time for me to further my development and play a bit of a higher standard of football. Hopefully I can come in, play as much as I possibly can here, and develop as much as I possibly can.

“It`s a big a club, top of the league, and there’s theopportunity to go and win the league as well - I couldn`t turn that down. Every footballer wants to win trophies. I will be delighted to be able to play a part in that."

Ewan certainly got that part fully underway on Saturday. He added:-

"I couldn`t ask for anything better and, hopefully, we go into next week, get another three points. That`s the most important thing, not me, but the team getting three points. We`re just looking to keep winning and see where it leaves us at the end of the season."

A real bonus for Ewan is coming to play in front of the Pars fans, Saturday’s experience didn’t let him down he said:-

"It was absolutely brilliant. I`ve heard a lot about them, but on Saturday I heard them. They`re mental, but unbelievable towards the end!

"I love getting the crowd going, that gets me going as well and brings the best out of my football. You don`t really get that when you play academy games and that`s also a big factor about why I wanted to come here and play games as well."

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