Ross McCrorie has become a vital player for the Dons so far this season – arguably he has been the most consistent performer in a red shirt – hardly putting a foot wrong at any point. Ross spoke recently to the Red Matchday editor.

 

It has always been a truism that football is as much a game of the mind as it is of the body. Concentration, intelligence, confidence, the ability to read the game quickly and, above all, being able to withstand what is, at times, excruciating pressure are massively important weapons in any footballers’ armoury, the gifts that often distinguish the best from the rest.

Ross McCrorie is living proof that is still very much the case.

It’s no secret that for the Dons, this season has not gone according to plan thus far, but it’s at times like these that you find out the most about yourself, as a team and as individuals.

Certainly it’s a test that Ross McCrorie has come through with flying colours, the one real constant in a back line that has seen us lose, at various times, Andrew Considine, Declan Gallagher, David Bates, Jack MacKenzie and Calvin Ramsay, all on the injury list for varying periods of time.

Through all of that, it’s been Ross who has managed to come through game after game, holding together the defence.

That’s a lot of responsibility for a 23-year-old to take on, especially when the team hasn’t been able to put together a consistent run of form, but he seems to have no problem in taking it in his stride.

“Mental strength is a big thing in football, as it is with all sport. When I became a professional footballer, it was always something that was highlighted to me, just how important it is.

“I always have that drive where I want to show people what I can go and do. It’s the same for everyone in the team as well. You are always going to get sticky runs but it does not bother me mentally. I am quite zoned out with that type of stuff. I just focus on myself and the team and the outside noise does not really bother me much. We have our own little bubble at the training ground. We don’t pay too much attention to what is happening with all the outside noise. We stick together. If we can do that during the difficult times, it will make us stronger.

“I think for the younger players coming through now, social media is a big factor, but I don’t take too much notice of it. Everyone is going to have opinions, good and bad, and you have to make sure you don’t get carried away with yourself in certain situations. At the end of the day, everyone has different opinions but the only opinion that matters is your own and your manager’s.

“You have to look at the bigger picture. There is never really a time when I lose confidence. I have always got that belief and a lot of that comes from remembering where you have come from and seeing where you are now. You must have that belief and confidence that you are going to go and put on a performance.

“As a player when you walk onto that pitch, you are in a zone. Even in training, you are in a zone, you have tunnel vision. It’s great to have a good atmosphere but when you are in that zone, you don’t really hear anything when the game is on.”

In his first season with the Dons, it was as a midfielder that Ross really excelled, but this term, he has been the one real fixture in central defence, whether as part of a two or a three. He’s not new to the position though, as he explains.

“I’m enjoying playing centre half. I feel very comfortable there because it’s not a new position for me. A lot of people think because I came here as a midfielder, I have never played centre-back. But when I was at Rangers, that’s where I was playing. Actually, I played alongside David Bates at Rangers, in the youth team and in the first team. He is a very good player, solid and dependable. He is very switched on tactically as well and has that little bit of pace for the balls in behind. He hs been a great addition to the team. I know him really well and we have a good understanding.

“But even when I broke into the first team at Rangers, centre-half was where I was playing that first season before moving to midfield when Steven Gerrard came in. Through all the Rangers age groups and the Scotland age groups, that is where I played.

“The most difficult bit about playing at the back is the ability to read the game, anticipate where the ball is going to go. There are other factors obviously, but that is the key thing and I think it’s something I am quite strong at.

“I enjoy it and I like the style of play we are trying to implement. I like the fact we are trying to play out form the back, especially with me having that experience of playing in midfield and being on the ball a lot. It probably does help me that I have played as a sitter in the middle of the park. I also know where the guys in front of me are meant to be positioned.

“Like everybody at the club, I would like more clean sheets. That is where I am critical of myself. I look at the small details and as a team we need to look at the small details to see where we need to improve.”

The Dons have employed a back three recently, with Scott Brown at times dropping back into the middle of the trio. McCrorie has enjoyed the opportunity of playing alongside him.

“Scott is good in there as part of a back three. I just need to do all the running for him! He has been brilliant since he came in and I can only say good things about him.

“Scott has been a big character since he came in. I played against him through the years and he is a top player. When you get to see him close up, to get to see his ability and his leadership skills as well, that’s a great learning opportunity. He brings a lot of qualities to the team and we are very fortunate to have him at Aberdeen.”

We are entering a pivotal period of the season with five more games to go until the winter break. It’s clearly important that the Dons add to there two previous wins and find some consistency over the next few weeks. Ross remains very optimistic on what will happen this term.

“We are still very confident in how the season will pan out when you look at the ability within the squad. I don’t think we have been playing entirely badly, we just need to be sharper on the small details.

“We are not even at the halfway point in the season. If you look at the squad we have got and the players we have got in it, we will continue to turn things around. We will wait and see where we are at the end of the season. People can judge us then.

“Every team is going to have difficult times, it is just about how we come out the other end. There are still plenty of games coming up, a lot of points that can be accumulated. The table is still very tight and as we have seen, everyone is capable of beating each other within this league. It is very competitive this year.

“Injuries have hurt us a lot so far but hopefully we can have a bit more luck on that front from now on. As I say it is a long season and you are going to get injuries. Every team gets hit hard by injuries at some point during a campaign.

“I have full belief in all the boys in the squad. When anyone is called upon, even if they are playing out of position, they can do a great job. I have full trust in them that they can play to a high standard.”