CRAIG STORIE

Throughout Aberdeen’s long and proud history, the football club has been renowned for giving youth its chance and bringing players through the ranks into the first team and the current outfit is proof positive of that, not least in the shape of skipper Ryan Jack.

Ironically, Ryan’s recent absence through injury opened the door for another young midfielder to stake his claim, Craig Storie grasping that opportunity so well that he has already earned himself a contract extension that takes him through to the summer of 2018.

Craig spoke to RedMatchday magazine last week:

“To be honest, a month or two back, I did not think I would get a new contract at Aberdeen, I would not have thought I would have started some games for the first team. I really did think this was my last year here at the club”.

Those doubts were the result of a string of injury issues that have hampered Craig’s progress through the last couple of seasons, but even then, everyone at Pittodrie has been fully aware of his ability and, once he got himself fit, it’s been a rapid upward curve for Craig.

“I have made no secret that the past couple of season have been very hard. It is especially difficult when you are out injured. The worse part of the day is in the morning when the boys are getting ready to go to training but you are left on the treatment table.

“It is very hard when you are out. You have to come in every day and get treatment. I did not get a chance to see my family down the road much. You have to try and stay positive when you have a long term injury. Being able to deal with the mental side of being out for a long time is just as important as recovering physically. My friends and family were really supportive and you need that support. Also, being around the boys, that really all helps you as well. They keep you on track and keep your desire for the game. Also the manager was very good, he told me what I wanted to hear and that really helps.

“I have worked very hard this season but having been injured during half my time at Pittodrie, I needed to! I have managed to get my fitness up this season and since I got my chance, I feel I have done ok. My fitness has shown up well in the games.

“I can only hope that all my injury problems are behind me. My fitness has been a big struggle since I came up here and signed as a full-time professional because of the injuries. I feel I am in peak fitness now though. It is one thing recovering from an injury and being able to play but being match fit, being fit enough to play for the first team, that is another level.

“I have worked hard to get that match fitness. During the summer I did not really have any time off. Our sports scientist Graeme Kirk came down to my house to help me. He gave me a running programme to do. I was then in the gym for most of the week. I think that really helped me at the start of the season.

“I played four or five games for the U20s at the start of the season then picked up a thigh injury and I was out again. Although I did miss a couple of months, my base fitness was there and I was able to kick on when I came back. I have had to really fight through my fitness battles. I have got used to fighting through the pain barrier. I know what I need to do to get to where I want to be.

“When I did get back and played for the U20s against Ross County in Dingwall in November, I then went on a run of eight straight Development League games during which time I played some of the best football of my career. I even managed to score a few goals! I scored five including a hat-trick in a game against Dunfermline at Peterhead. I have scored six goals for the season in 12 games – I hadn’t scored six goals in my career before that!

“For the 20s, I played in the middle of the park, played as a holding midfielder and then played as a more attacking midfielder. I have also played as a centre-half. I quite enjoy playing in defence, at U13 and U14 level I played left and right-back, so I know the position quite well.

“I felt I was doing really well and the manager obviously thought that as well and put me in against Ross County in January. I would have to be honest and say I was not ready for it when I first got put in a couple of seasons ago, but I am ready now. Playing that 45 minutes against County though was a great experience. It gave me an understanding of what was required to play at that level. It certainly help me when I played in that game at Dingwall this year.

“I only found out an hour before that I would be starting in the game against Ross County. It certainly was a bit of a shock when I heard the news! I hadn’t thought much about being in the side. I think it was a good thing I only found out late on, I did not have time to be nervous! “The down side about not knowing I was playing was that my parents were unable to get to the game. They haven’t managed to get to a game yet and have only seen the ones on TV as they have always been working. I owe them a lot are they are the ones who gave so much of their time taking me to training three times a week, taking me to games at the weekend.

“I don’t really get nervous. I am fortunate that it is something I have never had before a game. The only time I get nervous is when I have to do interviews after a game! I felt comfortable at the start of the match, especially with the way we started. But then Mark got sent off and we went a goal behind. I was absolutely sure I was the person who would have to come off when they made the substitution. I really thought it would be me, so when I stayed on, it gave me a huge lift. It gave me confidence because I thought the gaffer must have some trust in me to keep me on. I can only thank him for believing in me and having faith in me to do my job.

“That moment, standing on the pitch, was when I thought “I have a chance here. I have a chance to get a new contract”. It was a huge moment in my career. The other big positive was my fitness. Having to play with ten men for so long on a heavy pitch was certainly a big test!

“To be put in for the Celtic game was a big moment too. To have been selected for such a big game was very pleasing. I really only thought I would play one or two games, I did not think the manager would play me against Celtic. That gave me a massive confidence boost.

“I really enjoyed the game. I loved every minute of it. They were on top in the first 20 minutes but we managed to get through that. It is my job to keep the shape of the team in front of the defence and keep everything tight. It was important to keep my discipline with my position. You can’t go chasing the game or Celtic will hurt you.

“Once we got the goals we then came more into it, which made it easier for me. We had a lot more of the ball and I thought we played well. I must also mention the fans. It was the best atmosphere I have played in and probably the best atmosphere I have ever seen at Pittodrie. They played a big part in the win, especially the way they helped us through the first 20 minutes when they were on top.

“The manger’s instructions to me were simple – keep close to Kenny! He said Kenny would get me through the game. I get on very well with him. I sit close to Kenny in the changing room and, as we are both from Glasgow, we have a lot in common. I am always speaking to him. He is a very, very good player. His left foot is frightening! Any role he has been asked to do this season, whether it be in a more defensive midfield position or an attacking one, he has played very well. He can play anywhere on the pitch”.

While Craig is becoming a regular in Aberdeen red, he might have ben outing on a different red shirt this season, that of Manchester United, after getting the red carpet treatment from Sir Alex Ferguson himself when he was just 16. Sort of…

“I was just at training one day and Peter Weir pulled me in and told me I was going to go and train with Manchester United. It was a great experience, but I feel this was the right place to be. I think what has happened over the past couple of months shows that.

“I went down and trained for five days. I was then meant to go back down, but by that time I had already decided to sign for Aberdeen. It was a fantastic experience and the facilities are incredible. The thing that sticks in my mind most was meeting Sir Alex Ferguson.

“One lunchtime when I was in the canteen, Sir Alex came up and started speaking to me. I was in shock! This is the greatest football manager the country has ever seen and he knew my name! He knew all about me, which I thought was incredible. It says a lot about the man and I suppose it is that level of detail that made him such a great manager over the years.

“He asked me where I was from.

“”Glasgow”.

““Where about in Glasgow are you from?”

““Carluke”.

“He said, “Son, don’t flatter yourself!!”

“I had been with Aberdeen since I was a young boy and I appreciate the time and money they have spent developing me as a player. It was very flattering to have clubs like Manchester United and some other big names interested in my signature but this is where I want to learn my trade.

“I played for Crawforddyke in Carluke when I was little. I was not there for very long, maybe a couple of years at the most, before joining Aberdeen when I was eight or nine. I then trained with the Youth Academy at Hamilton Place or in Glasgow. Peter Weir was not there at the start but he came on board when I was about 12 or 13. Peter was a really good coach, a really good guy. If it is wasn’t for him, I don’t think I would be where I am now.

“I would train on a Tuesday, Thursday and a Friday and then I would travel to the games on a Sunday. The Glasgow Centre was a great place to learn my football. All the boys were really close. There is a really strong bond between all the boys who join as professionals. At the moment Jamie Henry, Daniel Harvie and Kalvin Orsi are all part of the 20s team. All three are very good players. Daniel and Kalvin both had injuries at the start of the season but both are doing well now whilst Jamie is on loan at Arbroath.

“Although I am in the first team dressing room I still spend a lot of time with the U20 boys speaking to them. I have grown up with them, they are a great bunch of lads. Even if I am not playing, I try go and watch their games or follow the scores on twitter.

“I am not going to lie, I was gutted I never got a medal when we won the Development League last season! I think it was fit for the first six weeks or so. I got a couple of games for the U20s then that was pretty much my season done. I got back at the end of the season but the campaign was basically a right off. I think I played nine games but you need to play 10 or 12 to get a medal. I was delighted for the boys and the club as well.

“This season they are not going to win the league but it has still been a very good season for developing players which is what the league is about. Last season there were a lot of boys in their final year at U20 level and some overage players but this season there are a lot of younger boys playing.

“The biggest difference between the first team games and U20 are obviously that they are more competitive. There is a lot more a stake. I want to keep playing at this level. I just need to keep my head down and hopefully I will play more games until the end of the season”.

“The biggest difference between the first team games and U20 are obviously that they are more competitive. There is a lot more a stake. I want to keep playing at this level. I just need to keep my head down and hopefully I will play more games until the end of the season”.