Sean Dillon says Dundee United team-mate Andy Robertson shows the importance of never giving up on your dreams.
The 19-year-old defender was named PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year on Sunday night at the awards dinner in Glasgow confirmation, if any were needed, that he has had a campaign to remember.
Robertson has made the left-back jersey his own since joining United from part-timers Queen’s Park in the summer with his sparkling performances also earning him his first cap in a friendly against Poland.
It is all a far cry from when he was released by Celtic at Under-15 level for being too small.
However, Robertson simply decided to prove the doubters wrong.
Dillon said: “It’s a great achievement for Andy and the lads are all really pleased for him. When he signed, he was probably seen as one for the future but he’s taken his chance and his performances have been great.
“It’s a really good story and a great example for other players.
“We saw some of the young boys at our club get told recently that they won’t be getting contracts for next season. Now, some of them will go away thinking that’s it and the chance has gone for them.
“But Andy is proof that it isn’t. Just because it hasn’t happened for them at Dundee United it doesn’t mean they can’t have a career elsewhere.
“And who knows what might happen in a few years? They might be back in the Premiership and in the Scotland squad like he is.”
Dillon added: “It’s not just the young lads at our place as well. Young players in that situation all over the country should be inspired by what he’s done.
“He’s proof that if you bounce back from taking a knock, work hard and take your chances when they come along then anything is possible.”
Robertson who is believed to be a signing target for a whole host of clubs including English Premier League outfit Everton could be forgiven for letting all this adulation go to his head.
However, Dillon insists neither the player or his team-mates would allow that to happen.
He said: “Andy’s got a good attitude and he doesn’t let things go to his head. He’s had a lot of attention and there was quite a bit of transfer speculation.
“But it hasn’t fazed him. The lads in our dressing-room wouldn’t let that happen anyway.
“It helps there’s a few of them all about the same age and they get on really well. They like a laugh and a joke with each other and so do the rest of us. But when it comes to the work they’re serious and Andy’s the same.”
Dillon returned to the United starting line-up for the first time since April 5 against Motherwell on Saturday, helping his side to a thumping 5-1 win.
Now, the club captain is determined to keep his place all the way through to next month’s Scottish Cup final.
Dillon added: “I was delighted to get back into the team and with the result against Motherwell. I needed to play because I’d been out of the team for a while.
“You want to get back in at any time of the season, but with important games and the cup final coming up it was really important. Now the challenge is staying in the team.
“It was a very good performance and a very good result for us. The only thing would be that we wanted a clean sheet because that’s something we need to get as a group.
“But that aside, the performance was great and everyone worked very hard to get the three points.”