Evan Horne - the Interview
Saturday, 5th Mar 2016"I like to watch people on TV at the highest level and track people playing in my position.
Seventeen year old Evan Horne was signed from Dundee United in January after training with Dunfermline for a few weeks.
Where is home and how did you end up at East End?
"I come from Renfrew and spent the last year and a half at Dundee United but before that I was at Hearts for three years and started out when ten years of age at Celtic.
"Dundee United was my first professional contract but I wasn't enjoying staying up there and left through mutual consent. This allows me to travel through every day and I can stay at home."
How did your move here actually come about?
"I know David Hutton and he spoke to the manager. Obviously my agent was involved as well and I managed to come and train for a week or two. That gave me the opportunity to sign."
How would you describe yourself as a player?
"I am more of a defensive midfielder used to breaking play up. I think the club likes players who go forward so I am just looking to adapt to that and become a more attacking player."
How does Dunfermline compare with the Premiership club and how are you settling in?
"There are a lots of similarities, two good full time teams. Dunfermline is a good professional set up, it is just as good as the bigger clubs that I have come from. The training is good, high tempo and everything is good standard. I have enjoyed everything so far."
"The facilities are different, driving to the training ground is no hassle at all. It is just as professional. Everything is a high standard.
"I have played against PJ and Cammy McClair but apart from them David is really the only player I know."
Was training at United not at St Andrews University?
"Yes they are based at St Andrews every day where they have their own pavilion. It is a good set up and they use the gym at the University."
You are only signed until the end of this season so what do you hope to get out of this period?
"I wanted to come here to get as much game time under my belt as I could. I hope to make my mark in the under 20s and show the club what I can do. I need to impress Potts then catch the eye of Sandy (Clark) and the gaffer. I want to do enough to earn a new contract and my ultimate aim is to break into the first team in the future.."
That might not be a little way off but how are you enjoying being coached by John Potter:-
"He has been different class so far, he is a great guy and a great coach as well. He shows me what I need to work on, what I do good. He is good for my confidence and I am looking forward to working with him more. He had a personal touch with the boys, speaks it how it is which you don't get from a lot of managers and coaches."
If Dunfermline get promoted and you were lucky enough to be offered a contract would that be ideal?
"Oh yes definitely. I am enjoying my time here, it is a good club to be at to be given your chance as a youngster. Everything will depend upon whether or not we get promotion. I feel that it is a club that is on its way back up to the top flight hopefully. I would like to be part of that so I would like to stay here and do well."
How do you feel you have done in the Under 20s so far? How tough was it coming up against Celtic's star studded Development League team when you were up against Patrick Roberts, Scott Allan, Tom Rogic and Charlie Mulgrew?
"I played one as Trialist and then a few as a signed player. It has been good but I definitely have more to come. I was gutted not to start against a very strong Celtic team but obviously first team boys need game time It was always going to be a tough test and when I came on for the last fifteen minutes experienced the standard that we need to work at to achieve.
"That is the top level where we are all aiming to go. It is good to play against teams like that, if you could play these teams every week then I am sure most people would choose to because that is where you learn most. You definitely take a lot of good experiences from it and that's how you build up."
Is there any player who has made an impact on your game?
"I like to watch people on TV at the highest level and track people playing in my position. Paul Scholes was my favourite when he was playing, now I watch English U21 games as well because that's a good level too. I just try and learn off as many people as I can."
Did you look after any of the Dundee United first team's boots and what chores have you been allocated at East End Park:-
"I just had to clean boots in the morning and make sure that they were clean before training and after match days. I have not been given anyone here, I have been let away with that one. I have just been told to join a team for the jobs - you just rotate around the jobs like cleaning the first team changing room.
"That is just part and parcel of being a young apprentice footballer, you get that everywhere you go. You need to learn your trade first as a young boy before you move on anywhere else."
Who would you say is the comedian in the camp?
"It would have to be James Thomas, he is always up to something. If anything happens everybody usually turns round and looks for Jamesy. You need to keep on your toes and watch your back when he is around. Never ask him to make you a cup of tea anyway."
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