Ben boosted by boss’s chat – and his debut
Malky Mackay apologised for doing it. Young Ben Paton thanked him for it.
Only a couple of weeks in the door at the Global Energy Stadium, the ex-blackburn Rovers Under-23s midfielder swapped the reserves for a debut against Rangers in the Premiership.
Not only that, the 21 year-old Canadian – brother of County’s Harry – was asked to play in an unfamiliar leftback role, up against James Tavernier.
Paton knew it was sink or swim in Dingwall, but drew huge plaudits in defeat from Mackay for his display and the savvy he showed, both defensively and going forward.
A central midfielder by trade, Paton could be asked to do it all again today against Aberdeen, given injuries to loaned left-backs Jake Vokins and Jack Burroughs. Paton, though, will be happy to oblige.
He said: “When the manager talks you up, it’s a massive confidence-booster, especially for a young lad.
“In my first senior game, having that praise is massive for me and it’s something I can feed off going into the next game, and future games.
“I am used to playing 23s football without fans, so the atmosphere against Rangers was the biggest difference for me.
“The manager just told me to go and enjoy it, express myself, get on the ball, be confident and show what I could do.
“Straight away, I was launched into a massive test in my first senior game and, hopefully, I can show more in the future.
“I was anxious to get going, and not as nervous as I thought I’d be. Once the game got going and I got a few touches on the ball, I was in game mode.
“I’ve only played left-back a few times, so to be able to come in and get into the team in a position I’m not used to, I thought I did quite well. I am now desperate to play as many games as possible.”
Ben is a couple of years junior to Harry and, growing up in Kitchener in Canada, they had a typical rivalry and bond.
The pair’s proud parents still live across the Atlantic and, apart from occasional visits, keep track of their sons’ performances by television.
Paton is relishing the chance to play alongside Harry.
He said: “i came up here a few times with my brother being here, including at Christmas when I was at Blackburn.
“I had also been watching them on RCFC TV, so the strange thing is I kind of knew the boys before I came in.”