Aberdeen’s U20s attack the second half of the season with real optimism from the top of the SPFL Development League. Not only that, they’ve done it with some extremely young players in the ranks including Daniel Harvie.

Despite still being eligible for the U17s, he has forced his way into Paul Sheerin’s side and has really impressed. The left-back spot has been a problem area for many clubs in recent years but the Dons could have discovered a gem.

A part of the Aberdeen FC Youth Academy since the age of 10, Daniel was also in the Scotland Victory Shield side that won the competition in November 2013. He made his U20 debut in the victory against Celtic in October, appropriately enough for a Glasgow boy.

“I am from Drumchapel and went to Drumchapel High. I have been with Aberdeen since I was 10, as part of the Glasgow Centre and have come right through all the age groups with Peter Weir. He has been a huge influence on my career. Like Peter, I used to be a winger when I was younger. But then over time and I moved to left back and I felt it was a more comfortable position.

“I came on board as a full-time professional player this summer. It is a big step leaving home and leaving your family, but it is a sacrifice you have to make if you want to be a professional. I am in digs with Jamie Henry. Luckily, we obviously play a good number of our away games in the Glasgow area, so my family are able to come along and watch.

“It did take a little getting used to being a professional player and the first couple of weeks of pre-season training were quite tiring because I was training everyday as opposed to training three days a week in the Glasgow Centre. After two or three weeks, you get used to it, your body adjusts.

“I would not have expected to have played anywhere near as many games this season. There is a very good U20 squad and with the fact you are also able to play five over age players, I really did not expect to get my chance so early in my professional career.

“It is quite a big step up from the U17s to the U20s. The pace of the game, everything is faster, you have to be stronger as the players you are up against are a lot more physical. It is completely different. In my first game, it probably did take me a good half hour to get up to speed.

“I remember when I saw my name on the squad team sheet for the Celtic game. I was quite chuffed, and then the next day I found out I was starting! It was a great feeling my making my debut and it was made even more special because we won the game. I was quite nervous at first but felt I did ok and so did the coaching team because I was then included the following week and have played every week since.

“Some games have been harder than others. I have had to play against a number of players with first team experience. Probably the hardest opponent I have faced so far is Martin Boyle at Dundee. He has played for the first team quite a lot this season. He was quick!

“Scott McKenna helps me a lot during games as he plays on my side. He talks me right through the game and his support when I first came into the side was a massive help. A lot of the first team boys give me advice during the week. It is really good that all the boys in the U20 dressing room mix with the senior players.

“The first team seems a long way off at the moment, but we all have the belief that one day we will make it. All the boys were really pleased when Kieran Gibbons made his first team debut against Partick Thistle. It was a massive incentive for the rest of the boys. It shows you the chance is there. It is up to us to work hard and to keep improving and progressing.

“Paul Sheerin is a great coach. All the boys are enjoying working with him. He also takes part in training and he can still play a bit! The coaching set up works well because you have Scott Anderson involved as well as Paul. Scott is also my U17 coach so he knows my game well and knows the other boys who have come on board full time. There is a bond there between him and the boys which helps our development. Jamie Henry and Frank Ross are also doing well and have both done a good job whenever they played for the 20s this season.

“Like anything, the more you do it the more comfortable you feel and I do feel more relaxed in the games now. It means I can go out and express myself a bit more. But two games ago I was removed from my comfort zone!

“During our recent game against Dunfermline at East End Park, Scott McKenna had to come off at half time so I was moved into the centre of defence alongside Michael Rose. I have played quite a bit at centre half for the 17s but it was very different playing there for the 20s! It was a little daunting at first but I settled into the role and we kept a clean sheet in the second half. Kalvin scored a great goal and we held on for a very good win. It is a great feeling in the dressing room after a game like that, knowing you did your bit to help the side.”

Daniel first appeared on the radar about a year ago when he featured in the Scotland u16s famous win over the Old Enemy. The win allowed Daniel and his teammates to lift the Victory Shield, the first time a Scottish side had won the competition outright since 1998. As Daniel reveals though, he very nearly did not get the chance to be part of history.

“I first got involved with the national set up when I was 15. There was a gathering of about 100 boys from all round Scotland as well as some from England who had Scottish family members. There were so many of us to start with, but the number kept getting cut down till we formed a squad. My first ever trip was to Italy where we played three games. I then got injured so missed out on a trip to Bosnia, but still managed to force my way into the Victory Shield squad.

“It was a great experience and was very special because we won it by beating England in the last game. The England match was massive as it was a winner takes all game and was live on
Sky.

“I actually burst my knee open the week before the England game and never thought I had a chance of playing. However I did not tell our coach Scott Booth in the hope he would not see it! Of course he did, but I told him I would still play. Nothing was going to stop me playing in that game!

“Aaron Norris and Frank Ross both came on as subs so there were there Aberdeen players on the field at fulltime which was a special moment for everyone involved with the AFC Youth Academy.”

There could be many more special moments for the Youth Academy staff courtesy of Daniel in the years to come.