Ross not short of advice

The young Millen is all ears and learning fast.

Ross Millen has only just turned 18 but he is very comfortable turning out as a regular choice at right back in Dunfermline's Under 20 team. He claims that he is enjoying teaming up with older and more experienced players. Speaking exclusively to the website Ross explained:-

"The older players help you through the game and they are always wanting the ball. If they start pressing you always want to go with them; they always want to help you and they are always talking to you. You feel comfortable on the pitch."

Coach John Potter has given Ross things to work on with his game but he felt that the match against Motherwell this week was one of Ross' best:-

"He has done well and is great on the ball. He works hard defensively and I keep going on at him to do that. Tuesday night was his best defensive game for us and always had great quality on the ball. I am happy with him and the whole defence that included 16 year old Lewis Martin."

Ross said John Potter has been helping with his heading and working on the defensive side of his game:-

"I am okay going forward but know that I have to work on my defending. I have been doing that in training and with Potts being a centre back he is a bit of an expert and he knows the game."

His coach was a player at St Mirren while Ross came through the youth system there from under 11s and John went and coached the youths including Ross. He arrived at Dunfermline as an Under 17 but has enjoyed every minute.

"I know John Potter personally and he is brilliant to work with. I left St Mirren because I wanted to play and I wasn't playing all the time. Dunfermline were superb with me and made me feel welcome and I played every game from then on."

Now he is delighted to be part of an Under 20 team that is lying fourth in their league with only Aberdeen, Celtic and Dundee United above them.

"We are playing really well at home, pressing the game. Against Motherwell we needed to stay calm and keep a cool head."

A poor result makes Ross not want to go home at night so with his father watching from the stand it was a relief to take the win and the points on Tuesday night. Father has had a big influence on Millen junior but then his father is the extremely experienced Andy Millen. Andy played in no fewer than 745 matches while at eleven Scottish league clubs between 1986 and 2011.

"He helps me out a lot and does what he can. All I can do is keep my ears open, listen and learn. Sometimes he moans at me but I know it is for the best. He can be hard on me sometimes but I just need to take it on the chin. He watches me as much as he can."

Ross has ambitions to make it up into the first team squad for training and hopefully catch the Manager's eye.

"I don't know if he is aware of me but all I can do is keep my head down." Head of Youths, Stephen Wright was a right back so he helps a lot as well." Certainly with John Potter and Craig Dargo sharing the coaching responsibilities there will be no fears that all reports get back to Jim Jefferies.