The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
New Par thrilled to see former team-mate star in Champions League final
PARS: Winger back up north and hoping career takes same trajectory as famous former team-mate Andy Robertson
They started out as kids at Queen’s Park and have been pals ever since but Aidan Connolly admits it was still a surreal experience watching Andy Robertson starring for Liverpool in the Champions League final against the mighty Real Madrid last month.
The 22-year-old winger, who signed for Dunfermline yesterday on a one-year deal after leaving English outfit York City at the end of last season, took in the showpiece occasion on TV alongside another couple of former United team-mates, Sporting Lisbon midfielder Ryan Gauld and Hearts defender John Souttar.
Connolly and Robertson joined the Tangerines on the same day in 2013 and he admits what the full-back has achieved since is like a dream – moving from United to Hull and then Liverpool in the English Premier League as well as becoming a Scotland regular.
Connolly said: “Andy has done brilliantly. Obviously I played with him when we were at Queen’s Park and Dundee United.
“I texted him before the Champions League final, just wishing him good luck.
“I know his mum and dad really well and I am absolutely buzzing for him.
“Andy is a really nice lad and down to earth. It just shows you what can happen in football.
“I actually watched the final at John Souttar’s house.
“A lot of the old Dundee United boys, like Ryan Gauld, went through so it was good.
“They are all great lads and we have a lot of good memories from our time at the club and sharing a flat.
“I have hardly seen them for the two years I was down south but we all went to Soapy’s house and it was just like old times.
“I thought Andy was brilliant in the final but it was just a bit weird that we had all played with him and he is now at that level.
“It is surreal, unbelievable and like a dream – I’d imagine it is like a dream for him as well.
“You just don’t expect that when he was at Dundee United but his career has gone up and up – it is brilliant.”
Connolly was released by the Tangerines in January 2016 and then moved to Raith Rovers until the end of that season.
He was subsequently snapped up by his former United boss Jackie McNamara, who was in charge at York at the time.
Connolly spent two rollercoaster seasons at the club with the highlight coming when he scored the winning goal at Wembley in the 2017 FA Trophy Final against Macclesfield.
He said: “That was a nice feeling. I didn’t know what to expect but when we turned up at the stadium, it is magnificent.
“You can’t have a bad touch on that pitch. It was just a fantastic experience.
“I had a few highs and lows at York. The football was different and it is a lot more physical but I learned a lot down there.”
Connolly revealed that Dunfermline had tried to bring him to East End Park at the start of this year but he is just delighted to have joined the club now and spoke of his aims for this season.
He added: “I got a phone call in January asking what my situation was but nothing came of it. But I am glad to get signed up now.
“I am obviously from Scotland and I have done well in the Championship before. Hopefully I can do that again.
“I just want to play every week, score goals, do well and show people what I can do.
“I have learned so much in the last few years and I feel I am a better player now.”