Merce on his debut

"Playing against Rangers was just like an under 20s game with a few mo

After nine seasons with Dunfermline Athletic Scott Mercer made his first team debut in Saturday's match against Rangers. It may sound like a long wait but considering he started at the club at the age of nine he has still made the breakthrough at a relatively young age. Having had a taste of senior football Scott is now keen that he can carve out a place in Jim Jefferies thoughts in much the same way that 18 year olds Lewis Martin and Ryan Williamson have done.

Coaching staff throughout his progression through the DAFC Youth system have all been important but Scott who will not be 18 until June considers that this season coaches and first team players have played an important part in his development:-

"My coaches Craig Dargo and Potts have been brilliant helping us out all the time. But all the first team boys always treat us like them, they do not think - 'these are younger boys training with us'. We are part of the squad and when we are all training together it helps so much to bring us on, the sharpness, the tempo. The experience of these players like Danny Grainger, Ross Forbes and Stephen Husband; they have all played at a higher level, so you are always going to pick up wee things from each of them and just add that into your game."

Scott knew he was in the squad for Saturday from the previous day when he saw the significant tick against his names but thought little more about it:-

"I have been in the squad a few times this season but not made the bench. I thought it would be like every other week, just going in and helping out."

Saturday was to be different, he made the team sheet and was named as a substitute. He described his feelings:-

"When I was on the bench and then sent out to warm up I was getting nervous but it was good that I got on. I came on off the bench in pre season but this was the first competitive match, and it was against Rangers which was a positive because there were more fans there."

Scott Mercer v Aberdeen U16s May 2011

Scott came on when Craig Dargo came off and the instructions to him were just positional. The manager said to work hard and drop in behind Allan Smith up front.

"I was used to playing with Allan and the rest of the boys, it was just like an under 20s game with a few more people there."

This season in the under 20s Scott has been a bit of a utility player. Striker, wide, centre mid, right back, he takes most of the corners and setpieces but has found some of the new experiences a tricky call:-

"The only positions that I have not played is centre half and goalkeeper. I have played every position apart from them. The first time I was told that I was playing left wing back it was difficult. That was a shock.

"It is easy to play with the players in the under 20s though because they are a good side. They like to pass the ball about so everyone can play anywhere in the under 20s, it is not just a case that this is your set position. It wasn't as bad as you'd think. When I first went to left wing back Lewis Martin was beside me and Shaun Byrne was in front of me. It was good to have that."

Scott went out on loan to Albion Rovers in November last year but was substituted in his first start and subsequently failed to get the match experience that he had hoped for.

"My debut away at Berwick wasn't my best game but it was just a month. It set me back a wee bit because it shot my confidence down a bit. Potts and Neil had a word with me after Christmas and told me that I had to buck up my ideas. It helped a lot and I just kicked on from there. It has taken me three or four months to get back to where I was."

Out of contract at the end of the season Scott is in the same position as a great many of his team mates waiting to see what division Dunfermline are going to be in next season before contracts are offered. As a Pars fan Scott is keen that is in the Championship. He said:-

"We have good enough players at the club to get us up there. There is no reason why we shouldn't be there. It is the league that you want to be in next season." Supporting Scott on Saturday was his mum, dad and grandad and for them it would have been a very proud moment hearing stadium announcer Dave Anderson call the substitution:-

"My mum used to run me to all my games, so it is good for them to finally see it happen and know that all the hard work has been worth it"