Young man in young team

Kerr Young:- "I keep on doing what the gaffer tells me ...

Kerr Young is one of the few Pars players who has played Elgin City in Moray. On 19th September 2010 he was a member of the Dunfermline U19 team that inflicted a 12-1 defeat over their opponents. Asked what he could recall off the trip Kerr could only remember that it was a long way.

"We got a minibus up. It was a long way, further than Stranraer. It was a wet and windy day but we didn't play at Elgin's park. We played at a small ground and I can't believe we conceded a goal!

"We are staying over this time so that should be alright. We leave on Friday, get a good rest up on the Friday night and it makes it easier when you stay overnight because it is hard on the legs. Even going down to Stranraer you tighten up and feel tired because you get sore heads on the bus."

After playing against Celtic in the SFA Youth Cup Final in May, Kerr is keen that Dunfermline get a good run in the Scottish Cup. He would dearly like to get through to the Fourth Round since the SPL teams enter the competition at that point.. He said:-

"It would be good to come up against a Premier League team and compare yourself with them."

The 20 year old defender played in the first six games of the season, then missed six but has played in the last two matches against East Fife and Stranraer. He rated his best game against East Fife the first time round :-

"After that I had a couple of bad games but it is all about learning. I keep on doing what the gaffer tells me, I think I have been doing alright, we just need to cut out losing early goals.

"Playing alongside Callum (Morris) makes the job so much easier" claimed Kerr. "He is a good all round player and John Potter gives a lot of advice when we are training telling us where we ought to be and how to do it better. After the game he tells us how we played, basically he coaches the defence. Potts gives us good information."

While out of the first team he returned to the Under 20s and he gave his assessment of how this differs from first team football:-

"It's just the physical side. You are playing against men in the first team and there are more high balls. You have to deal with more things in the air and people pushing you about. It is just a step above. I wouldn't say it is faster, its just more physical.

"I need to improve on getting tight to people, winning more in the air and competing a wee bit better. I am sure that will come when I get more games."

The off the field problems have made him stronger:-

"It makes you deal with things a lot easier, especially with such a young team. It is not about money, we just need to win the games. I think I read the game quite well and I think I am good on the ball. I just need to get on with the game and not really think about what I need to do. I try my hardest."

Kerr joined Dunfermline at Under 16 level and so is a longer serving player than most other Pars player. He enjoys working with Jim Jefferies-

"He is hard but he is fair. He tells you how it is and that's the way I like it. Working with Sky TV Neil McCann knows what he is talking about all the time and everything about football. He makes the boys confident and go for everything - make sure that you win your individual battles. He is passionate about what he does and never wants to get beat."