Think only about football

Training with the first team a highlight for 18 year old Ross Millen

Ross Millen will be 19 at the end of next month but he already has 15 Dunfermline starts to his credit and is keen that the season ahead brings promotion and it is a successful campaign that he can play a major part in. As one of the players affected by the turmoil of last season Ross is delighted with the off field result on Tuesday and feels that it takes pressure off the shoulders of the players:-

"We had been kept informed about what was happening but now we don't need to told anything. It is just about concentrating on football and there are no distractions in the background."

This time last season Ross was lining up against Kilmarnock in the SPL U20s League and no fewer than seven of those who played that Tuesday night featured in the Pars 3-1 win over Cowdenbeath in last Saturday's Ramsden Cup tie. Ross is delighted with how far he has progressed in that time:-

"I still can't believe that I am training with the first team. It has been really good. I am just thankful that the gaffer and Neil McCann have given me the chance. They have helped me and it has been a confidence booster. I will take it as it comes, keep my feet on the ground and see what happens."

There has been no time for the new Club owners to discuss contracts with the playing staff but according to Ross that does not really matter:-

"We are not really thinking about that, we are just thinking about football. As long as I am still playing I am happy."

The Manager is keen to have competition for starting places in every position and although Ross has made the number two shirt his since breaking in to the first team, he is conscious that there is another young right back who has been earning the praises of the Manager. Ross continued:-

"Ryan Williamson is a really good player and I will have to keep my head down." Dunfermline have brought in three players on loan from Dundee United and with them arriving with ambitions to get first team experience competition will certainly be sharp:-

"Everybody is on their toes and if you are not doing it you will just not be in the team."

At Central Park on Saturday, Ross lost his record of never having missed a penalty

"It wasn't a good penalty at all, it was a good save but I still can't believe that I missed it. When we get the next penalty hopefully I will take it. I don't know if I will be the Manager's nominated penalty kick taker but I am up for the next one. I will take it if I am allowed to!"