When I was about five or so years-old, I went from Galston to Kilmarnock.
I was training with a few other teams, but I think Kilmarnock made the most sense. It was local, and it was a good set-up.
I grew up at Killie, but it was tough. I dealt with a lot of injuries when I was in the younger age groups, and it was incredibly frustrating.
But then, at the same time, I think it was almost good for me in a way, because I feel like at that time, I had to make a decision: ‘What are you going to do here? Are you going to sulk? Are you going to feel sorry for yourself? Or are you going to be in the gym every day?’
For me, at that time, I was trying to get stronger. I was just trying to improve myself in any way I could. I was relentless, persistent and consistent with it. I was thinking: ‘well, I can’t be on the pitch today, but what can I do?’
I was always thinking: ‘This is what I want to do, I want to be a professional footballer. This is how I want my life to be.’
That hard work eventually got me through the injuries and then, by the time I was back on the park, I probably wasn’t 100% at the time, but I knew I had to go and play football.
In 2021/22, I moved to the Lowland League – the fifth tier of Scottish football – so looking back, it’s crazy to think that I’m now here in the Premier League! I went on loan to Broomhill F.C for half a season and played regularly for six months.
In my career, everything has been a stepping stone, leading up further and further to where I am now – which is how everyone wants things to work out, I suppose! I did well in the Lowland League, but that wasn’t the level I wanted to be at – it was just a start.