Loan spell will aid Northcott Young Saint enjoying experience
His pals couldn’t believe when he was listed among the substitutes and made his St Johnstone debut last season.
Now rising star Jordan Northcott is hoping his loan spell at BSC Glasgow can help carve out a special career at McDiarmid Park.
The 17-year-old midfielder - his favoured position is in behind the striker - is currently enjoying his experience with the Lowland League high-flyers.
A recent goal against Preston Athletic, a header, helped boost confidence further and he’s determined to impress until January.
“It’s been good and I started training a month ago,” Northcott said. “I’ve not started a game yet but have been making appearances every week.
“Hopefully better things will come with starting games and scoring more.
“It was brilliant scoring after just a couple of weeks and that is a good thing to bounce off on.
“I’m not the tallest of players but have still scored a fair few headers. I’m hoping there are more to come.
“It’s completely different playing in an environment where everyone is playing for win bonuses, goal bonuses and other things like that.
“It’s a lot harder playing against men but it will improve me more.
“The standard has been good. People might think it’s the Lowland League and that the standard isn’t going to be the greatest.
“But training has been high intensity and the games have been of a good standard.
“I was hoping to get out on loan but never knew it was definitely going to happen this season. When I got told I thought it was great.”
Perth fans got a glimpse of Northcott at the end of last season when he made his first team debut in a 2-0 Tayside derby win against Dundee.
Then, at the beginning of this season, he was given further gametime by boss Tommy Wright in the Betfred Cup.
“It was brilliant to make my debut and then, at the start of this season, playing in the cup,” said Northcott.
“My whole family were there and you can’t really put it into words. You dream of it as a young boy, wanting to play as a professional footballer.
“Coming on there were a few nerves but as soon as I started running they went away and I was focused.
“It’s a good feeling being in among the first team and the away games on the bus. It’s been a great experience over the past 12 months.
“Liam Craig is a great person to look up to and chat with. He guides you through training and tells you how it is.”
Northcott, who was also talented in the sport of judo growing up, wants this journey to continue for the foreseeable future.
He said: “I joined Saints when I was 10 or 11 and have been working my way through the academy before signing my first team contract a year and a half ago.
“Hopefully I can come back after my loan spell and impress the first team manager in training.
“Then hopefully I get another chance to play.
“My pals couldn’t believe it when I was on the bench for the first team. But they’ve been supporting me throughout, saying I’ve worked hard for it.”