Dundee United youngster Aidan Connolly admits he is sad to see his good pal Andy Robertson leave the club but he understands why he could not turn down the chance of a lifetime.
The pair joined United from Queen’s Park last summer with Robertson enjoying a meteoric first season at Tannadice, breaking into the Scotland team and attracting interest from clubs down south.
One of those sides, Hull City, finally won the race for Robertson’s signature on Tuesday, with the full-back moving to the KC Stadium in a deal that will net United almost £3 million.
He will now play his football in the English Premier League this season, a far cry from the days when he and Connolly used to face each other in school matches in East Renfrewshire.
Connolly said: “I wish Andy well as I have known him for a long time. I have texted him and his family wishing him all the best.
“We used to play against each other when we were at rival schools. He was at St Ninian’s and I was at Williamwood. They used to play Andrew up front or wide, so I never got the chance to play directly against him.
“He has done magnificently this season and you have to take the chance of a big move when it comes. It is the opportunity of a lifetime for him.”
While Robertson made an immediate impact at Tannadice, Connolly’s first season was more of a learning curve playing for the under-20s as well as going out on loan to League One Brechin.
Now though he believes he has fully-adjusted to full-time football and is desperate to make his breakthrough with Jackie McNamara’s side.
He said: “Hopefully, I can get a chance this season and make it into the team. If I get that opportunity, I am determined to take it.
“I look at someone like Ryan Gauld and what he did. I only knew him for a year but he was brilliant. I just have to keep working hard and see what happens. I have been here for a while now and I was playing under-20s last season.
“I learned a lot from Stevie Campbell but I am determined to do even better this season. I feel good and a lot stronger now. All the gym work I have been doing is helping me a lot.
“At the start it was difficult adjusting to full-time football as I had been at Queen’s Park for five years.
“But now I feel a lot better and ready for it. I have been small all my life but I just deal with it. Look at Gauld he is small as well and has gone on to better things. It is not an issue. If get my chance, I will be fine and take it.”