First start is a winning one

Young central defender feels the difference a crowd makes

Grant Munro made his first team starting debut at Cappielow last Saturday and he was delighted to take the chance when Callum Morris had to pull out at the last minute because of a hamstring injury. With it being a winning start it was a proud day for the 19 year old.

Having come up through the Pars youth system playing virtually throughout in a central pairing with Kerr Young to be re-united at first team level created a confidence that is unusual for two players making their first in roads into the first team. Grant told the website:-

"With Callum Morris pulling out through injury, I felt I did alright coming in against Morton. They were a big strong side so we were defending quite a lot of the time but we kept our shape well and defended well as a unit.

"Allan Smith and Ryan Thomson battled away well upfront and got us ahead early on. We managed to hold the game out and set up a big game on Saturday against Cowdenbeath.

"It was a massive relief after the ninety minutes Big Michal pulled off a few great saves in the last fifteen minutes of the game when Morton were pressing hard and had us pinned into our own half. When the final whistle went there was a huge cheer and celebration with the fans."

With Callum Morris returning to training on Friday, Grant is not too optimistic that he will retain his place in the starting eleven. "If he is back maybe I will be back on the bench."

The young defender played four games in a week, three 90 minutes and an hour but was excused the Under 20s match against Falkirk on Thursday afternoon at Stirling University.

Grant Munro's first team debut at Livingston, 30th March 2013

Playing in front of over 1600 fans was a big difference for Grant and quite a contrast from the two score that sometimes he plays in front of in the Under 20s.

"It gives you a bit of an extra boost and of course we are looking forward to the SFA Youth Cup final that is less than two weeks away. Celtic are the holders but we are going to give them a game since we have a strong under 20s team. There will be a lot of big games before the end of the season and there is everything to play for."

That includes a new contract because Grant's current deal finishes at the end of the season.