O'Kane okay on debut

Declan makes his first team appearance

Declan O'Kane will be 19 years old in March so in comparison with many of his team mates it has taken him slightly longer than some to make it to the first team. After appearing as a second half substitute when Callum Morris had to come off, Declan gave his first post match interview.

"It was a good experience and good to get out on the park. I just tried to do my best. I did not really expect to play but I saw Cal struggling so I got warmed up and got the shout. I was a wee bit nervous to start off with but once I got on with it I was alright."

"I started the season in centre midfield and I have just been moved back to centre half recently. I like it there, enjoy it and feel comfortable there."

Making him even more comfortable was the fact that he had played many games in the Under 20s alongside the two seventeen year olds that he was sent on to play between. Lewis Martin and Declan O'Kane have been an automatic choice in the centre of the U20s defence since the start of the season.

"I was told yesterday that I was in the squad and then got told before the game that I was on the bench. It just happened, first touch of the ball was a bit shaky but after that it was fine."

The under 20s captain fitted in to his role well, and that was very necessary when with ten minutes left he kept his team in the game when he played a neat back header to flick a cross from the right away from the inrushing Nathan Blockley.

"I headed it out for a corner and these touches make it easier to settle in."

It was to be a defeat however in his debut game and he knew just how hard it has been to beat Airdrie at East End Park over the last two seasons:-

"They are a bit of a bogey team for us. Cal might be injured and Big Kerr is back from suspension next week so I will just have to wait and see what happens next."

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