As part of new youth strategy aimed at getting more young players into the first team squad, all the AFC Development players and U18s went out on loan during the summer. At the same time Aberdeen also announced its first ever co-operation partnership with SPFL league 2 club Elgin City and Dylan Ross was one of three players who initially joined them. After a slow start to life on loan, the left-back, who also captains the Aberdeen U18s, has battled his way into the starting XI at Borough Briggs.
Half way through the season, Dylan spoke to Red Matchday Magazine recently.
“I really am enjoying it now. I was quite nervous when I first went up and if I am being honest, it took me a while to come out of my shell. Once you start playing and featuring in games you start to speak to your team mates about games and then that leads on to other things, even becoming pals with some of them. They are a really good bunch of lads. There is a good mix between experienced players and younger boys like myself.
“There is a strong Aberdeen connection. Tom Ritchie is our goalkeeper and he is playing very well. He is a very good keeper. There is also Mark Gallacher, Jack MacIver, Miko Virtanen, Lyall Booth and Jack Murray. Quite a few of them have been right through the Aberdeen academy, like myself.
“I train with Aberdeen on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and then I get time off during the day on a Thursday before travelling up to train with Elgin. Then I train with Aberdeen on a Friday and play on a Saturday. Sunday off! It is full on, but at my age I just want to be playing football. On a Monday, I work with Paul Coutts who does individual work with me, like working on my crossing for example. Paul and Stuart Duff then go over my clips from the game at the weekend.
“Both have been brilliant with me, as has the Elgin City manager Allan Hale. The instructions he gives me, it depends on who we are playing, what formation the opposition are playing, if he wants me to play wider and higher, or to be more defensive. It is good that he gives me clear instructions, lets me know what to do. I don’t just have a free role.
“I have been playing left-back, and that is my preferred position. I know nowadays left-backs can be asked to play as a left wing-back or a left centre-half in a three, or even a two, but I am comfortable playing these other positions.
“When I first signed in the summer, I did not play for the first two and half months, so that was the biggest challenge, biding my time until I got my chance. Then when you get your opportunity, you have to take it. Not playing did knock my confidence a bit, I did feel quite low at the time, but you have to stay positive and be ready. It was a game against Deveronvale in the Scottish Cup in October that was really my first one. I started and did well, and have been in the side ever since. When you get that chance, you feel a lot of pressure, but you just have to go out and play your own game and hopefully you impress.”
Having already lifted silverware this season with Aberdeen, the 17-year-old has the taste for more.
“I have really enjoyed playing for Aberdeen as well this season. We still have a lot to play for. Having won the Aberdeenshire Cup, it was a great experience. I took one of the penalties in the shoot-out.
“We have now reached the final of the Aberdeenshire Shield.
“And hopefully we can also go far in the Scottish Youth Cup. I believe we can do well, as we have a very strong team. There is a bit more of the unknown this year in the competition because we don’t play in the Club Academy Scotland League, although I actually played against our quarter-final opponents, Dundee U19s, for Elgin in a friendly, as I could not play for anyone that week as Aberdeen were against Elgin in the KDM Evolution Trophy. I actually scored as well!”
Dylan scored his first senior goal for Elgin City at Edinburgh City last month, a spectacular free-kick, and also scored in a 2-0 win at home to Dumbarton that week. Sandwiched in between those two was a goal for Aberdeen against Spartans.
“It does give me a lot of confidence, scoring goals. It just feels amazing.
“The aim for Elgin is to get promoted to League One. It is a very tight league though. Every week is an important match and very competitive.
“The physical side of my game is the aspect that has improved the most. I have been working hard in the gym. I have also been working on improving my speed. These are areas that you can always improve on. I still need to work on some defensive duties. More my body position. I will get there the more I play at this level. Hopefully there are plenty more games in the second half of the season for Elgin and Aberdeen.”
