Ethan Ross is as enthusiastic about football off the pitch as he is on it.
The busy attacking midfielder is limping slightly as walks over to speak to Courier Sport.
Ross was substituted in both of the last two matches after taking a knock – each time as a precaution.
The 20-year-old was subject to a few heavy challenges from Dumbarton on Tuesday.
He says he expects to recover from the issue with his hip flexor in time for Sunday – when he will return to where it all began for him.
Back to Pittodrie
“I’m buzzing. I’ve not been back – maybe to watch one game but I’ve not been back to play,” says Ross.
Ross signed for Aberdeen at the age of 10 and went on to captain the under-18s and win the Aberdeen FC Development Player of the Year for 2018/19.
“That really set me up for what hopefully will be a very good career.
“I’m still only 20, I’m now at Raith and I’m looking to push on here.
“But it was a great start to my career and I’m very grateful for everyone who helped me get through there.”
‘Nothing better’
Before that Ross – and his brother Seb, now at Falkirk – attended the Aberdeen SFA Performance School.
He calls the academies a “great initiative” which he and his brother “grabbed with both arms” when the chance arose.
There they would leave classes at the end of the school day and go straight to football training.
“In the long run we’ve got more touches of the ball,” says Ross. “We got more tactical awareness from coaches and things.
“More touches of the ball when you’re a kid, you can’t get anything better.”
Target at Raith
Ross signed at Stark’s Park on a two-year deal last summer following a loan spell at Raith in the first half of the previous season.
Citing first-team football as his reason for his move, his season culminated in winning the SPFL Trust Trophy and scoring in the final.
Ross managed seven goals and one assist last season and wants to increase that – and take his game “to the next level”.
“I always have personal ambitions, I always like to set myself targets,” continues Ross.
“I want to get to double digits in assists and goals [combined].
“I said the same last year and didn’t quite make it – maybe through a couple of injuries.
“But obviously I want to be helping my team first and foremost.”
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