Elgin City manager Gavin Price vows to give rising star Fin Allen a chance in League Two and stressed his first pro contract was reward for his hard work.
The 17-year-old attacking midfielder has just penned a deal at his local club, which secures him to Borough Briggs until the summer of 2024.
Price has handed the teenager 11 appearances, all from the bench, as the side battles inconsistency at the wrong end of the division.
FIN ALLEN TURNS PRO ✍️
We are delighted to announce local lad Fin Allen signed his first pro contract with the Club today 🖤
A great day for Fin and the Club.
The Full story can be found on our website, link below 👇 https://t.co/ZyFER1nkC6 pic.twitter.com/JTYmcS1C3m
— Elgin City F.C. (@ElginCityFC) November 26, 2021
However, having impressed when he came on in last midweek’s 1-1 home draw with Edinburgh City, it strengthened the youngster’s case for more game time, or even starts.
Fin rises up Elgin pecking order
Price said: “Fin is probably one for the present, as well as the future.
“He is learning all the time and showing up well in training. He is developing every week and a real part of the first-team plans. That is testament to the hard work he has put in.
“He is showing potential beyond his years and it is up to him to have a good career if he maintains it.
“He’s a sensible lad and he won’t get ahead of himself. I have said to him I would give him a chance when I can. With our results this season, it’s been difficult.
“I would have liked to have given him more game time, but I gave him an opportunity last week when we were 1-0 down against Edinburgh City. At times, young players can surprise you. If you show them that trust, they can repay you.
“I put him in for what was a high-pressure game against Edinburgh and he was outstanding. As a result of that, I will have no qualms about bringing him on in similar situations in the future, or even starting him in games.
“Fin has gone up the pecking order and deserves his contract, regardless of how well he performed against Edinburgh. I fully expect him to be on the park more and more as the season develops and have a good career at Elgin.”
Cameron knee injury leads to scan
Elgin’s weekend league fixture against Kelty Hearts has been rearranged for next Tuesday.
The League Two leaders are in Scottish Cup replay action against Montrose this Saturday after a goalless draw last Saturday.
Ninth-placed Elgin are then away to mid-table Annan Athletic a week on Saturday.
Midfield ace Brian Cameron suffered a knee injury in the second half of the match against Edinburgh, so won’t be back anytime soon, but striker Kane Hester is free from suspension after being sent off in the recent 1-0 loss at Stranraer.
With no fixture last Saturday, Price organised a full training session in Aviemore, but the severe weather wiped that out.
The Black and Whites boss hopes the enforced lay-off will allow a few knocks and niggles to clear ahead of their next match.
He added: “Brian has been sent for a scan, so we will wait for the results of that.
“The time off has been good in a way because we had a few players who would certainly have missed training at the weekend had it not been cancelled.
“We have Kane Hester back as well now, which is a boost and maybe a few more in time for next week.”
Meanwhile, Elgin Sports Community Trust is hosting a friendly between Elgin City and Strathspey Thistle at the Gleaner Arena next to Borough Briggs at noon this Saturday. Fans can attend free of charge.