Dream few weeks for Inverness Caledonian Thistle teenager Robbie Thompson after making first team debut
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Inverness Caledonian Thistle teenager Robbie Thompson is relishing the opportunity to impress after making a dream debut.
The 18-year-old former Inverness Royal Academy pupil made his senior bow for the Caley Jags as a substitute in the 6–1 win over Cove Rangers, also coming on last weekend against Arbroath.
That was a culmination of years of hard work as the youngster progressed through Caley Thistle's academy system, and he says it was a special moment.
"It's a dream come true for me – I've been waiting for this chance all my life," Thompson said.
"They tried to recall us from our loans in November or December, but it wasn't put through.
"A lot of the injuries to the first team guys were long term, so we thought they would pull us back to have extra bodies.
"I was delighted – especially to actually get on the pitch. I was very happy with that.
"It was amazing. This is what I've looked to do all my life, I've always wanted to be a footballer, so to play in a proper, professional game was just amazing for me."
Thompson, along with a few other academy products, currently has a big opportunity to impress in the first team picture at Inverness.
With a litany of injuries affecting players' availability over recent months, it has created a gap in the match day squad that the likes of Thompson will be hoping to fill.
The midfielder is conscious of the chance he currently possesses, and he feels he is in a decent place to take it with both hands after returning from a loan spell at Clachnacuddin in the Highland League.
"Every day in training I've got to try and do as well as I can," he reasoned.
"I have to work hard, and I do extra work on my fitness after training as well to show the coaches and the manager that I am willing to put that hard work in to get into the team.
"Then every time I get on the pitch on a Saturday I have to do as well as I can and show what I can do.
"I was on loan in the Highland League for a year and-a-half with Clach, so that's a very physical league. I have kind of got used to the physical side of the game, because people don't shirk challenges there.
"That was vital in my development for making sure I am ready to step up to the Championship.
"I think I've got better physically. I've got a bit stronger and I'm better at taking the ball in under pressure, especially with men behind me. I feel like I've been a bit more confident in training too.
"I'm just trying to impress the manager and keep the opportunities coming to stay within the first team and keep trying to get minutes."
