Lewis Carrol last week signed his second professional contract and also spoke to the Red Matchday programme editor.
Lewis is one of the most highly rated youngsters to have come through the Youth Academy in recent years.
Despite being a U16s player at the time, the right sided central defender, who can also play right back, was a key member of side that won the Club Academy Scotland U18 League in 2023/24.
The Scotland U17 international then graduated from the Academy at the end of that season and signed his first professional contract on 23rd June 2024. But where did that journey start for the 18-year-old?
“I went to Oldmachar Academy in the Bridge of Don. I did well at school, despite missing quite a bit of time through football. I was around 11 or 12 when I joined the AFC Youth Academy, which is a little later than most of the boys. I played at Lewis United from the age of six, which I really enjoyed, and then got scouted when I was a bit older. I came in on trial, and have been here ever since.
“When I was younger, playing seven-a-side, I would play everywhere! I started as a right winger and moved back from there. Ever since playing eleven a-side, I have always been a centre-back. I don’t know why I wanted to play in defence, maybe it was because I was a failed winger! But moving back there, I felt comfortable, and it is a position I have always enjoyed.
“I signed a pre-contract with Aberdeen when I was 15 and then came in full-time a year and a half ago. I have loved my time as a full-time professional, but it has certainly been a steep learning curve.
“When you are coming through the Academy, it is all about playing with the ball. The way we want to play as a team, and with most teams nowadays, it is important you are able to play out from the back. That is probably one of my main strengths.
“As you get older, you have to learn the other side of defending. That is one of the reasons why we have been put out on loan, and playing against big physical strikers in League One, some who could be 10 or even 20 years older than you! You have to be able to adapt and get used to that. It is a lot more challenging.
“It was a mixed season for me, my time out on loan. My experience was up and down. It was a big change in the summer. Then my first six months at Kelty I was in and out of the team, I was not in the side to start with, and then I got an opportunity at right-back. I did ok at right-back, I feel I can play there if asked.
“Then in January I joined Cove Rangers along with Joseph Teasdale and Cooper Masson.
“I started off on the bench the first few games and then got myself in the starting XI which was good. The manager Paul Hartley seemed to trust me so that gave me a lot of confidence.
“I recognise as a young centre-half, it is one of the hardest positions to break in to. It isn’t easy getting a chance. It is understandable that managers want experience in that position. You are also not going to get the same minutes off the bench as a midfielder or striker might get. It just means that it is even more important to take your chance when you get it. It’s all about fighting for your place and when you do get a chance, you have to impress and adapt really quickly.
“I enjoyed my time at Kelty, I learned a lot, but it was easier at Cove with the travelling.
“Monday and Tuesday were our two normal coaching days at Cormack Park and then on Wednesday we did a lighter session, gym work etc. On a Thursday, we would come in at lunchtime and do some work before going to loan training. Then Friday is matchday minus one.
“Although we are out on loan it’s always good to be at Cormack Park. Stuart Duff and Paul Coutts have done an amazing job this season, especially when you consider they have been helping out with the first team at times. They work so hard with us and I think you can see the evidence of that with how well we have done in the cup competitions.
“There is a really good togetherness amongst the development squad. We all train together and it shows when we go out and play together.
“I really enjoyed playing in the development team this year. We had a good run in all the competitions. We won the Aberdeenshire Cup, the first time the club have done that for a long time, we got to the final of the Aberdeenshire Shield and the semi-final of the SFA Youth Cup with the U18s. We should have done better there.
“I was also in the team that got to the Youth Cup final two seasons ago against Rangers, I played at Hampden and I felt we were very unlucky. There was nothing between the sides. I was one of the youngest of the field that night. It was pretty surreal playing there, with friends and family all watching. There were a few nerves before the game but when you get into it, you settle down and just play. We were so close when you look back at the game. Their keeper made a couple of great saves late on.
“So to lose in the semi-final this season with the U18s and not get back to Hampden was a difficult one to take at the time but an important learning experience.
“I know the Development team made it to a couple of finals in the past, without winning anything. So to get over the line in the Aberdeenshire Cup, and get the win in the final, in horrendous conditions, was a great feeling. It was a long second half playing into the wind and they were putting balls on top of the defence, but we dealt with it well and won on penalties.
“The Development Squad, we all need to push on as a group again this season.”
Lewis feels that the season on loan has certainly sharpened up his winning mentality.
“Being on loan, everyone has learnt how important winning is. It is all about getting three points, or getting through to the next round. I feel I can handle myself a lot better now. You might not get on with every manager all time, you might be in and out of the team, but you need to keep working hard and stay focussed. Then when you are in, make sure you keep hold of that jersey.
“I still feel I need to fill out a bit and get stronger. It is something that I am working hard on each day. I think I am quite good on the ball, but I need to improve more on the defensive side. It is something you can always improve on, no matter how young or old a player you are. It comes from playing games and getting experience.”
Like many of the top young Scottish players, there has always been interest in Lewis from down south. And such is Lewis’ progress that last February, around deadline day, he was linked with a move to Nottingham Forest. What’s it like, trying to deal with that speculation at such a young age?
“I don’t think many people realise how tough it can be. It is a lot to deal with. I was meant to move and it fell through. Coming back last summer, I felt I needed to get my head down and work as hard as I can and I think I have done that. I’m in a much better place than I was.
“It is every Aberdeen boy’s dream to play for the first team and I am no different. It is what I am looking to do now.
“I feel happy here and feel at home.
“The manager is really good. All the boys are fully on board with him. I have trained with the first team on occasion. When you go over and work with the first team you have to make sure impress.
“It is a really good feeling, having the new contract and that security for a couple of years. Hopefully I can push on now.
“Aims for next season? Try and train with the first team as much as possible and then you never know what might happen. And if I do go out on loan it is about playing as many games as I can and keep improving and keep working hard.”
