Friday 5th August 2016
HIS name isn’t currently familiar to many where Dumbarton are concerned.
But Amadou Kassarate is setting off on a mission to change that.
He’s had success with the club’s development squad, and his training performances in pre-season merited a deal with the first team.
Now it’s time for the next step.
Experienced in non-league football down south, and as a former youth internationalist, Amadou is now hopeful of adding more to his CV.
He said: “I’m very excited to get the chance. I was happy to make my home debut on Saturday and the journey with Dumbarton has been great so far.
“The manager has given me a lot of support and I now just need a run of games to show what I can do in the first team.
“Before Dumbarton I was playing for Welling United in the Conference Premier. I’ve also been a Senegal under-20 international.
“I joined the under-20 side in January this year. My goal was to be in the first team straight away, but the gaffer said to see how I got on with the under-20s.
“I scored and set up a lot of goals and was invited in for pre-season training with the first team. I’m delighted it worked out.
“My goal is just to play as much as possible. I still have a lot to learn as a development player, but the more experienced boys have been great.”
Amadou made his competitive debut for Sons in the Betfred Cup tie at Dundee, which ended in a 6-2 defeat.
He also came on as substitute against Peterhead on Saturday, with the game ending 3-3 before Dumbarton lost on penalties.
However, the Betfred Cup campaign is now in the past and Amadou, like his Sons team-mates, is setting his sights on a positive league season.
He added: “It was a very disappointing outcome, especially after being 3-1 up early in the second half. Our objective was to finish with a win but it didn’t work out that way.
“But we will just need to kick on and prepare better – starting at Dunfermline.
“First and foremost we expect to stay in the league. It will be difficult as a part-time side but it will be our objective.
“We did it last season and know we can do it again. And if we are in contention for the play-offs, why not?”
Andy Galloway