Friday 17th January 2020
IF all had gone to plan last Saturday, Callum Wilson’s first game in a Dumbarton jersey would have been in front of a three-figure crowd.
Instead, he could do it in front of an attendance of five digits tomorrow.
For the 20-year-old, his Sons debut is coming seven days later than anticipated. The weather ensured as such, putting off last Saturday’s game against Clyde.
That was meant to be his trial audition after his release from Partick Thistle, but manager Jim Duffy has seen enough in training to offer him a deal until the end of the season.
It was an offer that Callum didn’t hesitate to accept – and now he has the opportunity to impress in one of Scottish football’s biggest arenas tomorrow.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, Callum said: “I’m really excited. I’d been at Thistle a long time but I’m ready to get a new experience and get a good run of games under my belt, and help Dumbarton progress up the league.
“I found out Dumbarton were interested about a week and a half ago, and I’ve trained with them a few times. I was meant to play as a trialist last Saturday but the game was called off.
“Fortunately they’ve still given me a chance which I’m very grateful for.
“I’ve been really impressed by what I’ve seen when I’ve trained. Jim Duffy is a really good manager who works hard on tactics and how to move the ball where he wants.
“I’m Glasgow-based as well, so hopefully I keep working under him and I will improve as a player.
“Aberdeen is a massive game for us but I’m excited for it and it doesn’t come much bigger than that for my debut. Hopefully I can make an impact and any kind of result for us there would be massive.
“I’ve played a number of positions in my time at Thistle, and on loan, but over the last few years I’ve played mainly at full back.
“But wherever I’m asked to play, I will do a job.”
This time last year, getting a regular game involved slightly more travelling for Callum on a fairly regular basis.
He was on loan from the Jags to Elgin City for what was a congested mid-table battle in League Two last season.
After eight years at Firhill, his time with Partick came to a permanent end last week, but although he admits it was difficult, he’s confident it was the right one.
He added on his loan spell last season: “I enjoyed it. People think it’ll be tough going to Elgin from Glasgow every week but I only trained once a week and I had a few away games against the likes of Stirling and Clyde.
“It was good to get regular football and get used to the winning mentality of first-team football.
“It wasn’t easy to leave Thistle, as they had been a massive part of my life since I was 12 years old.
“But it was the right time for me to move on. I need to play some games and start enjoying my football again.
“It’s the right move for me.”
Andy Galloway