Young: I can use this experience to push on in the future

Fresh from signing his first professional contract, defender Ethan Young reflected on the Iron’s slender away defeat at Bradford City on Saturday.

The 18-year-old, who has been in-and-around the first team squad over the past few months, was handed his league debut by manager Keith Hill against Mansfield Town earlier this month as a 61st minute substitute. He’d then make his first start six days later away at Leyton Orient.

Reflecting on the game at the Utility Energy Stadium, he told iFollow Iron: “It was a disappointing result in the end, but I felt the game was a brilliant experience for myself playing in front of 15,000 fans. It’s something I will never forget.

“We went 2-0 down, but it was important that we kept the team morale high, and everyone was encouraging each other to keep pushing on throughout the game. That obviously led to us getting the goal.”

The gaffer has continued to blood in youngsters over the last couple of months with the likes of Young and Jack Moore-Billam the most recent debutants in the side.

The 6ft 4in defender is keen to use these end of season experiences to push on in his own career, and prepare himself to come back ready to fight for a place next season.

“It’s a good thing for us young players to experience this in these environments,” he continued. 

“We’ve got to be prepared to deal with this in our careers, so I can use this experience to push on in the future.

“To be sharing the experience with the lads I’ve been playing with for the last two years has been brilliant. We’ve got two games left, and we want to finish on a high, going into next season.”

The youngster signed his first professional contract last week to top off a whirlwind couple of months which began with training with the first team.

Now having had a taste of action, Young is eager for that run to continue: “The last couple of months have been amazing for me. I signed my first professional deal now. Being a pro with the club is something that I’ve dreamed of, and starting the last three games has been a great experience.

“I wouldn’t have thought I’d be in that position now, and I’m very grateful to the manager for giving me the opportunity. Now I want to push on and see where I can go.

“The hard works starts again for me, but I’m more than ready to go into pre-season, to go and smash it, and hopefully get into the starting eleven next season.”

He has been deployed at left-back in all of his senior appearances to date, and gave his views on adapting to that position.

“I’m originally a centre-half, but I can adjust to left-back and I can also play left-wingback. I enjoy playing there, and I’ll give it my all,” he explained.

“Playing against seasoned pros gives me great experience and also getting to speak to them after the game, giving me feedback. It’s really helped me so far.”

See much more from Ethan Young on iFollow Iron.