Allan Campbell has been a consistent figure in the Motherwell U20s side this season, with his standout performances rewarded with a call up to the first team.
Against Hamilton in the final game of the year, the 18-year-old played the entire 90 minutes as ten-man Motherwell grabbed a dramatic late equaliser.
The youngster looked at home in the middle of the park and was lauded by first team manager Mark McGhee.
He said: “Young Allan Campbell has come in, playing in a game where we’ve went down to ten men and he’s done such a fantastic job.
[pullquote]”Young Allan Campbell has come in, playing in a game where we’ve went down to ten men and he’s done such a fantastic job.” – Mark McGhee[/pullquote]
“It’s another debutant and another one from the academy, through Scott Leitch and then Crags, which just shows that there is such a flow of these young players coming in to the team.”
One of the glaring positives in the Campbell’s locker is his versatility, having filled in at right back on a number of occasions for the U20s.
That is something that hasn’t gone unnoticed with U20s boss Stephen Craigan, who was full of praise when talking about Allan’s performances this term.
He said: “Allan Campbell has filled in at right back when we’ve been short in numbers and Jack McMillan has had to switch over to left-back for example and I’ll be honest, Allan has told me he doesn’t like it.
[pullquote]”He’s willing to play out of position for the good of the team and I feel that when players do that it can teach them new aspects of the game.” – Stephen Craigan[/pullquote]
“He feels he doesn’t get enough of the ball but when you’re playing at right-back that suits me just fine, but Allan is a player who is gifted on the ball.”
He added: “That shows the commitment he has though – that he’s willing to play out of position for the good of the team and I feel that when players do that it can teach them new aspects of the game.”
After making his full debut for the first-team against Accies, Motherwell fans may have caught a glimpse of one of their future stars.
Allan knows he has to keep working hard though, and the midfielder said: “It was great to get the entire 90 minutes and I was delighted to have been asked to step up by the manager. I know that I have to keep pushing and playing to my best ability every week, for the U20s and the first team when I get my chances.”