Defender hopes to help young Inverness Caley Thistle stars
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Cameron Harper says the influx of younger players into the Inverness Caledonian Thistle first-team squad this season has him feeling like an old head.
Turning 21 years old today, Harper has already made 98 appearances for the Caley Jags across all competitions since making his debut off the bench in a Scottish Cup tie against Edinburgh City four years ago.
He was part of a potential golden generation of young talent bursting on to the scene from the Inverness academy, alongside Roddy MacGregor and Daniel MacKay, but the production line did not stop there.
This season, the likes of Lewis Hyde has become a regular feature in Caley Thistle’s squads, while Calum MacKay, Matthew Strachan and Keith Bray have also provided options from the bench.
With other prospects out on loan right now, Harper says he is beginning to feel like one of the senior players at the Caledonian Stadium despite his own young age.
“I feel like an old head seeing some of the 17-year-olds coming into training and being on the bench,” Harper explained.
“That’s mental to say. I don’t know if I’d say I give them advice, but I will chat away to them.
“I’ve obviously known Dan’s little brother since I was 10, and he was even younger. Matty Strachan too – you might tell them to do certain things that will help.
“I always try and speak to them, but I don’t know if it’s advice. I just try and chat to them to help them feel relaxed. That’s what I felt I needed when I was 17 – which feels like ages ago.
“Just having someone to chat to in the first-team squad, that’s there all the time, puts you at ease more than anything.”
Caley Thistle have a burgeoning history of developing players for the first team from within their own system.
Ryan Christie caught headlines after his breakthrough at the end of 2013.
He went on to play for Celtic and Scotland, now plying his trade in the English Premier League with Bournemouth.
Liam Polworth, too, came through the ranks and now turns out for Kilmarnock in Scotland’s top flight.
Dan MacKay earned himself a move to Hibernian, and Harper and MacGregor are further evidence that a pathway through to senior football exists.
Now that the next generation is coming through, then, Harper finds is strange to think of himself as a role model.
“Their careers will be
similar to the likes of mine, Dan’s and Roddy’s so far,” he said.
“They will want to do exactly what we’re doing
now – playing in the team every week. You know they might look up to you in a way, but you just try and
help them with little pointers and give them encouragement.
“They’re good players, so I have no doubt they will be able to step up to the mark when their time comes.
“It is a bit mad to think they’re looking up to me. I still feel like I’m young.”
