U18s: Ayr United (A) preview

Jamie Cord is relishing the chance to get back out on the pitch as our under-18s return to Club Academy Scotland Performance League action on Friday afternoon.

The young team make the trip down to Cumnock to face Ayr United for a 2pm kick-off and supporters are welcome to attend.

Central midfielder Jamie (17) joined the club earlier this year and has settled into life at McDiarmid Park quickly.

“The lads have been really good with me and I feel I’ve settled in well,” he said. “They have always got me involved and it’s a good environment to play your football.

“We haven’t really had a consistent team selection yet - we went through a spell where we had injuries and players missing - but we have been good and maybe just a little unlucky in some of the games. I’m confident in the team that we can do well.

“I don’t know too much about Ayr this season, but the boys know it will be a hard place to go. We’ll give it our best, show that we can battle and hopefully get the three points.”

GETTING TO KNOW…

Jamie has always been passionate about football and fell in love with the game as soon as he laced up his first pair of boots. He did, however, also have an interest in ice hockey.

He smiled: “We would always play in my gran’s garden so I have always been into football. When I was young my dad would buy me the newest boots out.

“I started training at the age of three and just fell in love with the game. I actually went through a spell when I was into ice hockey. I was a massive ice hockey fan. I didn’t really play, but would always go and watch the Dundee Stars.”

Jamie’s journey in the game has included spells at the likes of Dundee and Dundee West, before he stepped into the senior game with Lochee United in the East Region Midlands League.

That proved to be a very important experience at such a young age and one that has served him well.

“I really kicked on after joining Lochee United,” he said. “It was probably the best decision I have made in football because my sharpness and intensity really improved. You learn how the game is  played at that level.

“I was doing well at Lochee and I was asked to come into St Johnstone. I feel I did well on trial and I was delighted when I was asked to sign.

“It’s been brilliant to be starting every game and playing a lot of minutes. You start to get a level of consistency and my fitness is the best it has ever been.”

Under-18s player Brodie Dair was recently called up to the first team squad for a couple of matches and proudly took his place on the bench.

And Jamie added: “It gives you that extra drive and the urge that you could maybe do that too. We all just need to keep working hard and a chance could come.”