Prior to earning his spot on the First-team bench for our season finale in Dundee last weekend, young defender Jamie Mercer sat down with the Red Matchday editor to reflect on his Dons journey so far and his new contract.
Any youngster that makes their way in the game needs to have more than just ability. So many of the players who make it through from the academies do so because of their strong character. Nobody has shown more of that than Jamie Mercer over these past two years where he has had to fight back from a series of injuries.
Following a season appearing in the Under-18s, Jamie signed a professional contract on 16th June 2023. He was a player everyone had high hopes for as during the various international tournaments the academy play in Europe, Jamie was a standout against some of the top clubs across the continent.
“I have been at Aberdeen since I was nine, so I was very pleased to get another year on my contract. This is certainly the one I have had to work hardest at to achieve.
“I have had a lot of setbacks over the last two and a half years, but I am past that now. I’m really excited about what lies ahead. Fingers crossed I can kick on and play some football.
“The lowest point was probably the most recent injury set back, which came at Peterhead in the KDM trophy in August. I thought the injury that I picked up previously was going to be the last one and I could move on from there. I came back and played a few games, I was building up minutes, feeling good, then it happened again. Mentally it was very hard, but after all that, I am mentally stronger. There is a different level of resilience.
“I am better off for having the problems now. I have learned a lot, especially with how to deal with hard times and how important it is you don’t let your emotions get control of you. You have to learn to take things day by day. It is still not perfect, by any matter of means, but I feel I can deal better with adversity and, at the same time, don’t get too carried away when things are going well. You have to stay on an even keel.
“It was hard because before the injury problems I had done well but then came setback after setback. The first time I got injured, I was supposed to go away with Scotland. It was a minor hamstring injury, I should have been back after six weeks, but in training I made things a lot worse.
“The medical team, the physios, especially Beth Walker, have spent a lot of time and put a lot of work and effort into me, a lot of hours and I have caused them a few headaches. I am not a medical expert, but I do joke with Beth that I could probably plan a few rehab sessions here and there!
“I do have a better understanding of how I need to look after my body. I know how my body works and what I need to do to prepare it for games. If I have certain feelings, I know whether it is ok to carry on or if I can push it. Previously I would be constantly at 100 miles per hour. It is good when you feel you can do that during a game, but there are times in training when you need to build up to it.”
Maybe not typical of the modern game, but Jamie is a youngster who just loves defending and does the ugly side of the game very well. A very competitive defender who enjoys a challenge whether that be in the air or on the ground. The Ellon Academy pupil is a very aggressive player who goes full bloodedly into every tackle and trains the way he plays.
He also though shows good composure on the ball and is a player who demands very high standards. One of his biggest strengths is that he never looks fazed at all and he is a young player who has demonstrated strong leadership qualities when progressing through the academy.
“Defending as a whole is probably my main strength, and then my speed as well. Those are the things I rely on most. Playing as a centre-back you also need to have some leadership qualities. You can’t play that position and not speak. That is something that gets drilled into to you at a young age and sticks with you.
“I have been a centre-mid, a left-back, left-wing-back, as well as a central defender. In the academy I even played as a left winger and as a striker a few times! But I was mainly a central midfielder and then got moved back. I was not too fussed, as long as I played. I quickly got to enjoy defending. I really enjoy it now, being able to put in a tackle.
“The role of a centre-half has changed, but throughout academy it is more football based, most teams wanted to play out from the back. But even at that age, you have teams who would play a lot more direct so I can deal with both styles.
“One of the main attributes you want your centre-back to have is experience, which is completely understandable. Next year it will probably be best for me to go out and get as much exposure as I can, and get as many minutes as I can at hopefully a good level. Whether I play left-back or left-centre-back, it does not matter. I just want to play.
“The new manager has been really good with me. Within the first week of him arriving, I was training with the first team. Then we had a closed doors game at Pittodrie against Dundee and I have been training with the first team ever since.
“He has given me a really big opportunity because every day, I have a chance to show what I can do, not just to the manager and the coaches, but all the senior players. I know next season I might be going out on loan, but my focus is just on coming back and doing as well as I can in pre-season.
“The senior players have been really good with me. Nicky Devlin has really helped me over the past couple of years. He has had a lot of chats with me and is always asking how I am getting on. Graeme Shinnie is another one who is always helping me. Dante Polvara was a big help because he had a similar injury to the one I had.
“All the development players are great as well. We are a tight group and that has made the journey so far even more enjoyable. It is like being at work with your mates each day. We look out for each other, and if someone is successful, it spurs the rest of us on.
“Findlay Marshall is a massive inspiration for all the development players. He was given an opportunity at Arbroath and he has taken it. He has been one of the best players in the league. He has impressed everyone here and thoroughly deserves his new deal.
“I appreciate that any academy player coming though and making their debut, it is a big thing for the club, and especially the academy. For all the staff who work so hard at Cormack Park, and for all the players, and future generations, it shows them there is a pathway for them to look at. It definitely gives everyone a lift.
“I have thought about what it would be like to make my first team debut. It is hard to think about how it would be. You hope it would be positive! You can’t get ahead of yourself, but if it does happen you just have to be ready to take your chance.”
