Tuesday 14th March 2017
KYLE PRIOR reckons he only touched the ball about four times in his seven minutes on the pitch.
But Dumbarton’s win over Raith Rovers on Saturday was still the teenager’s greatest experience in football to date.
Aged 17, he announced his arrival in the Sons first team squad when he came on as an 83rd minute substitute for Christian Nade.
And the student couldn’t wait to go back to his studies on Monday and tell all his friends he played in a Championship football match.
He said: “It was great to make my debut in my home town. My family were all here today and I’m delighted to have got my chance in the Championship against a good side.
“The boys played really well today and deserved the victory, and it was good to be on the pitch for the fourth goal.
“I think I touched the ball about four times in the seven minutes I was on for, but it’s my best experience to date.
“I was slightly nervous at first when the manager told me I as going on, but soon enough I was buzzing to get out there.
“I’m studying sports coaching at Clydebank College and I’ll definitely be going back and telling my friends about making my debut.
“Hopefully there will be more of those to come.”
Only a few months ago, Kyle was learning his trade at Scottish football’s school of hard knocks – junior football.
He was playing on loan for Vale of Clyde in the West Region Central First Division, where one of his team-mates was former Sons defender James McKinstry.
After his loan spell expired he was promoted to the first team squad, and it’s an experience he is thriving on.
And who is to say he will not be involved this Saturday against Championship leaders Hibernian at Easter Road? Whether he is or not, he knows the team will be up for the challenge.
He added: “It’s been good so far. All the boys are good to me and hopefully I can get more chances to play alongside them.
“The juniors was a rough and ready introduction, but it was good experience to play against adults for the first time, and I played 90 minutes every week.
“I think the boys will do well on Saturday. We always play well in the games which look harder for us on paper.
“It will be a tough game, but I think we can go to Easter Road and get a result.”
Andy Galloway