Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
AIRDRIE SHOT JOY FOR DEAN
Ritchie on Hearts path disappointment
Midfielder Dean Ritchie reckons there was no pathway for him at Hearts after signing for Airdrieonians.
The 19- year- old, who had captained the Jambos’ youth sides at several age groups, made the admission after penning a deal with the Diamonds last week.
Ritchie, who also spent time on loan in the Lowland League with the Cumbernauld Colts, concedes he was disappointed with the first-team chances on offer at Tynecastle.
“I’m quite realistic and last season I looked at it and I didn’t really see a pathway there,” he said.
“Even at the start of last season I looked at the club and thought it was going to be a bit of an uphill battle.
“There isn’t anything really wrong with that, but I just didn’t see a pathway to the first-team at all if I’m being honest.
“I was there for five years and they were really good with me, there was a lot of good people there.
“It’s all about experience for me. I think it’s the same for every player at a young age.
“I went to the Colts for a bit and there was a lot of people who tried to help me there.
“I have a lot of respect for the two clubs and now I’m just looking forward to being at an ambitious club like Airdrie now and trying my best to do well.”
With training set to resume later this month and League One to kick-off in October, Ritchie can’t wait to battle for his place and to boost a New Broomfield title charge.
He went on: “I don’t think there is ever an easy league. You can’t go in thinking any game is going to be easy.
“There are going to be good teams like Falkirk and Partick, but you could go to any team in League One and they will give you a good game.
“I’m looking forward to that. It’s not going to be pretty all the time but that’s something I enjoy. I like when you have to change up how you are playing.
“I’m just dying to get into it. You don’t know what can happen, but I’ll work as hard as I can in training to show what I can do.
“Whether that ends up being a full game or five minutes I want to make an impact. I’m desperate to make an impression on the team.”
•Airdrie have snapped up Swiss midfielder Griffin Sabatini from Ukrainian side SC Dnipro 1 on a season-long loan. The 21-yearold made his debut for the Dnipro first-team earlier this year.