Whyte: I’ll make up for lost time
Midfielder is back on track after leg injury
Darren Whyte looked to be on the verge of the St Mirren first team last season before a broken leg curtailed his dreams.
But having recovered, the 20-yearold is back on track and ready to make up for lost time.
The midfielder was handed a fresh one-year deal for the first team over the course of the summer having caught the eye of manager Jack Ross towards the end of last season.
Having been handed his debut as a substitute in Alex Rae’s last game in charge at Dumbarton, Whyte would feature under Ross against Dundee later in the campaign before injury halted his progress.
He has already received positive reviews following a number of starts in recent friendlies, featuring predominantly as a full-back.
And he insists that he is prepared to put in the hard graft required to make himself a success in the Saints top squad.
Whyte told Express Sport: “I’m really enjoying the experience.
“It has been a bit special having the chance to progress through from the under-20 side to the first team.
“Coming through the ranks to get a year-long contract is excellent and I’m really looking forward to the start of the season.
“I’ve been working really hard and the gaffer has given me a chance to show what I can do. Hopefully I can continue in the way I have been and impress him.
“It was really frustrating last season, being in and about the first team was brilliant only to get a bad injury.
“I managed to recover well and get back into training at the end of last season so I’m ready to push on.”
Whyte has been lining up alongside the likes of experienced defenders Gary MacKenzie and Gary Irvine over the course of the preseason schedule.
And he revealed that their knowledge of the game is something that he is keen to tap into for as long as he is in and around the squad as he starts to get used to playing in a somewhat unfamiliar role.
He added: “Towards the end of last season for the under- 20 side I played a few games at right back, so it is something I am kind of used to.
“I really enjoyed playing full back to be fair, it was something I haven’t always done.
“Having big Gary MacKenzie behind me and Gary Irvine as well is invaluable, they are constantly helping and talking you through games.
“They are a big help and are experienced characters.
“You have to listen to what they say because they have been about the game for so long and they are really good to have alongside you in the dressing room.”