Ross Millen on his debut

"It was good, I loved it. I only found out that I was starting when the teams were read out before the game

Ross Millen made his first team debut in the Scottish Cup tie against Hamilton on Saturday 2nd February. For the 18 year old it was a great experience and a thrill to find out that his first inclusion in a first team squad transpired to be a starting position on the right side of the Pars defence. He told the website:-

"It was good, I loved it. I only found out that I was starting when the teams were read out before the game. I had been training with the first team and it looked like I was going to be involved but I didn't know I was going to start."

Ross who joined Dunfermline at U17 level after experience initially at Clyde and then St Mirren, has been training with the first team off and on this season.

"I have loved every time that I have trained with the first team. It was good to get a few days on a roll. It is quicker and stronger, more physical."

As the son of Andy Millen, Ross has never been short of experienced advice and after watching Ross' first team debut his mum and dad were quietly satisfied with their son's performance. He admitted to pre match nerves causing some loss of sleep:-

"I couldn't get to sleep the night before the game but by the time the game came I was fine. The team made me feel welcome and so it was just like any other game really once I got on the pitch.

"There was not really much change of pace but only if you lose the ball. I think I am involved in the squad again this week; every week is a bonus and good to be in the first team squad."

With Ross' contract up at the end of the season, the opportunity to impress the Manager has come at a good time. The young player has viewed Shaun Byrne's success at breaking into the first team as a bit of an inspiration:-

"It was about time that he got a chance because he has been doing brilliantly with the under 20s. I just need to keep my head down and keep working hard. I will play anywhere just as long as I am playing. My preferred position is right back because I have played there quite a lot now."