Dylan Smith was fully expecting to continue his school studies when Ross County phoned to offer him a professional deal.
Defender Smith, who turned 16 in the summer, had already started his fifth year at Culloden Academy when the Staggies came forward with the offer of a two-year apprenticeship contract.
Smith has been with County for almost four years, since former Victoria Park youth development chief Richard Hastings scouted him playing for his local street league side.
Prior to joining the Staggies, Inverness-born Smith was part of the youth ranks at Clachnacuddin.
Having made two substitute appearances and earned two Scotland under-17 caps since turning full-time, Smith insists he has not looked back.
Smith said: “We got the call that I had to rush to my mum’s work.
“I knew it was about County, but I had no idea what else it was about.
“I then had a phone call with one of my academy managers, who said County had offered me a deal.
“It meant I would have to leave school, but it was an opportunity that I always wanted.
“I was 100% wanting to go for it.
“I had all my subjects picked and had started fifth year. But, as soon as that opportunity came around, I knew I just had to do it.
“It has always been the dream.”
A debut to remember at Ibrox
Smith’s potential has not gone unnoticed by Staggies manager Malky Mackay, who has already handed him two first-team substitute appearances.
The first of those came at one of Scottish football’s biggest settings, in the latter stages of a 4-0 loss to Rangers at Ibrox in August.
It is an experience which Smith will forever cherish.
Smith added: “Since I signed professionally the manager has put a lot of confidence in me.
“He said I either go out on loan, or I train hard and get the opportunities I have been given so far.
“He has called me into the first-team squad and got me involved, which led to me making my debut.
“It was a surreal experience against one of the biggest teams in Scotland. They were top-class players and I learned a lot.
“Showing the faith he had in me gave me a lot of confidence. Playing in front of 50,000 is what dreams are made of.
🦌🔹𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐁𝐔𝐓🔹🦌
16 year-old Academy Graduate Dylan Smith made his cinch Premiership debut today at Ibrox.
Congratulations Dylan- reward for all of the hard work you have put in during your development in our Academy 💪 pic.twitter.com/cOK7fQ1sIi
— Ross County FC (@RossCounty) August 27, 2022
“I knew there was one substitution left, and it was myself and Ben Paton.
“I was really hoping it was me, because my mum was in the corner and I could imagine she was really excited.
“She said she saw me come on and started greeting.
“I was just so excited in the moment. When you look around, it’s such a big stadium.
“I was really nervous to be fair, but you get excited nerves as well.
“I didn’t get much of the ball, but I got a couple of tackles in and a couple of headers, which was big.”
International recognition has come defender’s way
After Ibrox, Smith was called up to Brian McLaughlin’s Scotland under-17s squad for a European Championship qualifying triple-header in October.
In starting victories over Malta and Northern Ireland, Smith helped the Scots progress to the elite round, which will be played in the new year.
Smith added: “Playing for my country is something I have always wanted to do since I was young.
“What a feeling it was being called up. I told all my family, who were buzzing as well.
“We got to the elite rounds. I was happy to start the first two games, and to keep a clean sheet in both of them.
“I had only been abroad once, and now I’ve been abroad more with football than I have on holiday.
“It was a great experience for me.”
‘I just want to keep getting in the matchday squad’
Although time is still very much on his side, Smith is determined to take further strides into the Dingwall first team in the coming months.
The teenager said: “The manager wants me to develop well with the first team, so I think he’s keeping me there.
“In terms of the next stage, I just want to keep getting in the matchday squad. Maybe not this year, but in years to come, I want to get into that starting 11.
“I feel like I can contribute. Even next year, I will try and get a couple of starts and just work towards it.
“I’m not sure about anything longer-term yet, I have only thought about County so far.
“I just want to get into that first team, cement my position there and we will see what there is to come from there.”
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