Season can get even better

Ryan Williamson:- "to go up through the play offs would just be brilliant."

What a difference a year makes, this time last season, Ryan Williamson was still at Auchmuty High School in Glenrothes. His football was at Under 17 level and was only promoted to the Under 20s after the club went into administration in April last year. There his place was created as the first team had to raid the Under 20s squad for players.

Some players' misfortunes can be others gain and Ryan certainly seized the opportunity. He played a few games in the 20s as they fulfilled a backlog of fixtures but he was a mere spectator when the team appeared in the SFA Youth Cup Final one year ago today.

Ryan who was named in the Professional Footballers' Association Scotland League One team of the year attended the PFA Awards on Sunday night and confessed to star gazing as he came face to face with Premiership players. He talked that through with the website:-

"It is quite a difference, a year ago I was coming up to my Higher and Intermediate grade exams. It's a massive change now that I have made so many appearances.

"I was just hoping to come in pre season and make as much of an impression as I could, try and stabilise my position in the under 20s. Try and impress the gaffer and Neil McCann. To play regularly and be in the team of the year is great for my confidence."

Ryan made his first team debut in August when he had to come on for Ross Millen in the opening home league match against Arbroath. He was not 18 until last March but considers it disappointing that after 18 appearances this season he has not played in Dunfermline's last two matches. He is keen to be given a chance against Rangers on Saturday and remind the management that he could be part of their plans.

"I would welcome the chance to impress and maybe get a chance in the play offs. Even coming off the bench would be good and that would be the third time that I have played  Rangers.

"There should be a decent crowd there so it would be another good experience. I was still at school last year when the play offs came around but I know what to expect from them. It is something to look forward to but it is something to be a bit nervous about.

"Hopefully we can perform as well as we can and get the job done. That would top off the season for me. It has been great for me; so much has gone right for me. I have had my ups and had my downs but overall it has been a great year for me.

"Considering how quick it has all gone and how far I have come in the last year, to go up through the play offs would just be brilliant."