Tangerines teenager took call-up against Celtic in his stride

Rory MacLeod found out the news on Tuesday.

The Dundee United teenager would be starting against Celtic the following day.

The Hoops were arriving with the Premiership title in their sights. The Sky Sports cameras were in town.

Just 16 years of age, MacLeod could have been forgiven for an attack of nerves; permitted a few butterflies in the stomach. Not a bit of it.

“I really fancied my chances,” the teenager tells Courier Sport.

“With my form recently, I feel really high on confidence.”

While respectful of the calibre of Celtic, MacLeod has a healthy self-belief.

Already United’s youngest-ever player following a cameo against Motherwell in February, the Scotland U17 international has been scoring goals for fun in the Tangerines youth side in recent months.

He took that form into midweek, turning in a capable, diligent display in the 1-1 draw against the Hoops.

“I spoke to the gaffer on Tuesday and he told me that he had faith in me to start the game,” continued MacLeod.

“It was an incredible moment for me and my family. It’s something I’ve dreamed of since joining United when I was six.

“I knew it would be a tough shift but I felt I did well and adapted to the challenge.

“I didn’t feel any trepidation when I was out there. I thought I grew into the game and, when the full-time whistle blew, we were in Europe – so that’s not a bad night.”

The way MacLeod intelligently dropped back to track and pester one of the finest midfielders in Scotland, Callum McGregor, was particularly laudable.

He continued: “I was told to sit in and not let (Callum) McGregor get easy possession.

“It’s always a challenge to keep such a top-quality player off the ball but I stuck to my job. It was a brilliant learning curve.

“I knew I wasn’t going to compete with Celtic players physically. I had to play smart; play tactically.”

And MacLeod, who did his hopes of featuring against Ross County today no harm, came close to scoring his firstever senior goal.

His low drive in the second period was diverted on to the post by Joe Hart and, although Nicky Clark slotted home the rebound, the offside flag was up.

“I thought I’d scored – but that’s what a top goalie like Joe Hart is there for,” a rueful MacLeod said.

“When I got that chance to have a strike at goal, I believed I could hit the target and score. But it wasn’t to be.

“I’m just delighted to get the start and show a glimpse of what I’m about.”

Rory MacLeod gave a good account of himself.