In this week's Chaplin's corner Grant Hamilton speaks to local lad, Ross Irving.
Here’s my first question. It’s fairly simple but you’ll need to use your imagination. You, Ross Irving, are Allan Johnston for a day and you have an unlimited transfer budget. You can sign any three current players from anywhere in the world for Queens. Who would you buy and why?
Lionel Messi, because I think he’s the best player ever and I don’t think anyone else comes close. I would probably sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United as I really like him. (How are you going to get in the team if Marcus Rashford and Messi are playing?) (Both laugh!) I reckon I could probably squeeze in the middle; Rashford on the right, Messi on the left and me through the centre.
So who else would you have?
I would say, Van Dyke at the back. I don’t like Liverpool at all but I think he’s a very good defender so credit where credit’s due.
We’re doing this interview in Dumfries in the Queens arena. Queens have obviously been a massive part of your life. Can you describe your football journey so far and the process of getting from the youth ranks into the Queen’s first team?
Basically, I played for Lochar Thistle youths and I did really well with them for a season or so. I then got signed here (Queens) for the under 13 squad and my first season was really good. I did really well but I didn’t follow that up in the second season. I became less interested in football and wasn’t so bothered about showing up for training or anything and I nearly got released at the end of that season.
I did get kept on in the end and the following season I thought I was doing alright but looking back, I had become a wee bit lazy. I needed a kick up the backside and the head of youth, Andy Irvine, talked to me straight and said ‘we’re putting our necks on the line by showing faith in you so don’t prove us wrong.’ That helped me kick on and the following season I was moved up to the under 17 team where my coach, Warren Pearson was a great help.
I was still struggling a bit to stay motivated and Warren would take me aside and say ‘you’re a good player. You’ve got lots of ability but you have to show that you want it.’ I started playing really well for him and things just started to take off for me. I had a really good season and then the next season, instead of carrying on with the 17’s, I got promoted into the under 19 squad. At that time I was still at school but the following year, after I left school, I managed to break into the reserve squad and then have some involvement with the first team.
At the end of my first season in the reserves I managed to get a first team contract, something that doesn’t happen very often in your first year with the reserves. For me that was really special; to come through all the age groups and then be part of the first team squad.
I don’t know all your reasons, and they might be personal so you don’t have to tell me, but can you put your finger on why you were losing interest in football?
I think that it was partly an age thing. All my friends were starting to branch off and do other things. It’s not that I was more interested in doing other things but I felt like I was giving up a lot to play football and I didn’t know if it would be worth it.
I sort of lost confidence as well. I was doubting myself a lot and I wasn’t trying things in games that I might have tried before. I just thought ‘maybe this isn’t for me’ but people around me were saying ‘this is what you’ve always wanted since you were young so keep at it!’
One of my later questions was going to be about which people in your life have had the biggest influence on your career and about how they helped you. Maybe this is a good time to answer that one?
I’d definitely say my mum. I mean, my mum raised me and my sister as a single parent. We didn’t have a lot of money or anything but she always made sure I had football boots and that I got to football, wherever it was. My mum couldn’t drive so she had to pay for taxis to make sure I got back and forth and she made sure I had everything I needed. It’s all down to her really that I am here.
Also, not a lot of people know this but I actually had someone in my life who passed away a few years ago. He basically taught me how to play football when I was really young and not very interested in it. He would always play football with me and teach me skills, sometimes for a couple of hours a day. He was interested in me and he introduced me to Queens. He would take me to all the Queen’s games and that was also very special. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago but I definitely owe a lot to him as well.
A lot of people at Queens have also had a good influence on me. As I said, Warren Pearson was great with me and he just knew me as a person, more than a player and helped me with a lot of stuff. The gaffer (Allan Johnston) gave me my debut and I’ve been learning a lot from him and Sandy (Clark) because they were attackers in their careers. Dobbs (Stephen Dobbie) has always helped me and he’s been great since I broke into the first team. There are lots of people you meet along the way who help you.
How would you describe the jump from youth to reserve to first team squad?
It’s incredible. I don’t think a lot of people realise how big a jump it is. You don’t actually realise until you’re trying to make it. When I was in the youths and trying to make the 20’s squad I thought ‘Jeezo, this is hard.’ You do grow into it and get used to it eventually but being in the reserves and trying to break into the first team is like a whole new world. Everything is so much sharper and quicker. Everybody knows how each other plays and it feels like a different world at first. Since June though, when I started training full-time with the first team, I feel I’ve grown into the team and settled in well. Obviously, playing a few games helps.
What lessons have you had to learn along the way? I ask this partly because I remember seeing you getting a bit frustrated in a couple of reserve games and I know you set high standards for yourself.
I think that (the frustration) is partly my upbringing. I grew up in, not a rough area, but certainly not a rich area. I think society has shaped my character a bit. I am outgoing and I can be mouthy and sometimes I don’t know when to shut up and listen. One thing I’ve had to learn is that I’m not always right about everything. Sometimes I have to shut up and listen and take advice.
The frustration thing is something I’ve had since I was young and it is also partly because I hate losing. Honestly, there is no worse feeling for me than losing a game of football so everything I do I try and put in 100%. If I am losing then frustration can build (laughs) but I have to try and rein that in.
Can you think of anything else? For example, I remember seeing you come on at Dumbarton at the beginning of the season but there have been quite big gaps between some of your appearances.
Yes, I’ve also just had to learn to be patient. I’m a very impatient person, no matter what the situation, so if I get on one week, I’m thinking ‘I need to get on next week. I need to get on….’ If it doesn’t happen, it’s hard not to get down about it. At the same time though I realise that I’m only 18 years old and I’m still on the bench and still in the squad and you have to be happy with that and just be patient and be ready to take the chance when it comes.
I try to be positive and, like I said at the weekend (of the Dundee United game), to play without fear.
I’m no football expert but I think of people like Connor Murray who were in a similar position to you, just getting the odd bit of a game here and there. Someone like Connor must be an inspiration to someone like yourself?
I can see a comparison between us, both getting bits and pieces in games here and there. He also hates losing as well and just wants to do as well as he can. Dobbs has always helped Connor with useful advice and he does the same for me.
That leads me nicely into my next question. Has it been helpful having a club legend like Stephen Dobbie at the club who plays in your position?
It’s been very helpful. I mean he’s just incredible and a legend of the club. He’s had an unreal career that you can only sit back and look at and hope for something similar for yourself in the future. He’s also a really down to earth guy who always wants to help. I find it crazy still because a few years ago I was doing the turnstiles on a Saturday and getting excited about watching him play. I can even remember his first spell here and it’s crazy to think I would end up playing alongside him.
I was looking on social media at the weekend and there was a great reaction to you playing against Dundee United. Even your mum was commenting. Obviously a lot of local people are very proud of you. Does that put you under extra pressure or does it inspire you?
It definitely inspires me. I imagine some people might feel under more pressure but I like people asking me how I got on at the weekend and telling me that they’d seen me play. I like the feeling of knowing you’re a local boy and that everyone is proud to see you play. They want to see local boys play. They want to see young players coming through and I like it, I think it’s great. I’m glad you said that (both laugh).
We’re nearly done now. I’m in a chaplaincy role and available to support or point you in the direction of support. What kind of support does a young guy like yourself need at this important stage of your career? What kind of things have people done for you that have really helped at the right time?
As a young player, it’s easy to get caught up in getting frustrated and feeling you’re not doing well, you’re not up to speed. You feel, not so much left out but more that you have a point to prove when you’re training with all these established players. Sometimes it’s good to get an arm round your shoulder. I know I like it when someone takes me aside and says ‘you’re doing well, just keep your head up.’ Obviously you can always improve but it is really helpful to have someone say, ‘you’re doing well. Just relax.’
You are doing well, just relax! (Ross laughs) You really are doing well! I’m not a coach but I can see that if you’re trusted to go on against Dundee United then you must be doing something right. I know you are only young but what is your best moment in football so far?
I’d like to say that making my debut against Motherwell was the best moment but it’s kind of bitter-sweet. It was a great day for me and my family but I only got on for a few minutes and we did get beaten 3-0. The Dumbarton game was a great memory for me because I got to play for half an hour and we won. I thought that was my chance to show people what I can do.
Saturday against Dundee United has probably overtaken everything though because that was half an hour against the league leaders and the manager showed a bit of faith in me by letting me do that. That’s obviously great for me.
This is definitely my last question and it should be an easy one. What is your football dream?
My dream has always been to play for Manchester United. That is my biggest and wildest dream. I’ve always told my mum I’ll play for Man United one day. She’s always believed me so I have to do it (laughs).
Do Queens have to have a sell-on clause in your contract so we can get 20% of the £100 million?
(Laughs) We can put that in if my contract gets renewed!
Really though for now, I’m just trying to keep my feet on the ground and keep doing the best I can. I get told that every day by Holty (Kevin Holt). We travel together and whenever I do well we have a laugh and he’ll always say ‘just keep your feet on the ground and you’ll be fine.’ It’s one of his favourite things to say to me ‘Stick with me wee man and you’ll be fine.’ (Laughs)
Well personally Ross, I hope Queens stick with you for a long time. Thanks so much for talking with me today.
Thank you very much Grant, thank you.