August's TEXO Drone Talent of the Month Award winner was U17 player Connor Barron.

Connor has played a key role for the Scotland Under 16 side of late, having scored a dramatic late winner against England and assisted the opening goal against Uruguay. Only recently he was also called up for the International side to face Poland and has had an exciting start to the season, having also played in every minute of the Aberdeen U17s first four victories of the season.

“To start with I was not in the Scotland squad so I put my head down and got on with playing for Aberdeen. Then one day after training, Neil Simpson phoned me and said I had been given a late call up. I travelled down that night to meet up with the rest of the boys. I was on the bench for the England game but got on for the last ten minutes and scored with a few minutes to go.
 
“It was a brilliant feeling, scoring a late winner against England, on my international debut. It was also good to go and show the coaches at Scotland what I could do after not being in the initial squad. The standard, as you would expect, is quite a big step up. The tempo of the play is a lot quicker but it is good to test yourself at that level.

“Domestically the start to the season has gone well. We have won all our games in the U17 league so far. It is my first year at that level but I have been given plenty of game time. All the guys who were U16 last year have moved up so everyone knows each other so it has been an easy transition.”

Connor has picked up plenty of awards during his time within the Academy. He received a Special Recognition Award for always playing in the age group above from U10s – U15s, the only such award ever given out.

That’s even more remarkable given that Connor is not the biggest of players, something which often make an especially big difference at youth level. But size isn’t everything – just look at the current list of some of the world’s best players if you want proof of that. Messi and Dybala, to name just two, aren’t giants. It’s all about ability.

“Since I joined the club I have always played up a level and I have always enjoyed playing against older players. I have never walked onto a pitch thinking I am the smallest player, it never enters my head. I walk on the pitch only concentrating on being the best player. I want to be better than everyone I play against. I’m always confident that my skills will beat any physicality.

“When I started out with Aberdeen I was in Jim Crawford’s Skills School, where we would just concentrate on the technical side of the game. It was really good for my development.

“I invented a couple of skills and would go into my garage and practice most nights. Some nights would be longer than others, depending on whether I had been training or not, but it would be at least half an hour each day. It benefited me a lot and helped me be able to play up a level. It gave me an edge, but I still work on my skills now.”

Connor, who only turned 15 last month, has experienced a very busy summer having been a key performer in the Gothia Cup Tournament in Sweden for the Dons, before he captained the U16s in the Ibercup in Denmark. Having played in every match in Denmark, Connor was influential in leading the team to finish runners up against Liverpool.

“The U16 team went to Denmark and I captained the side. We got through to the final where, for the second year running, we played Liverpool. They beat us unfortunately. A couple of days after that, I went away to Sweden with the U18s. We did not do as well over there but I won some man of the match awards. It was a huge tournament with so many different nations represented. These trips are such a good experience and so important for our development.

“Neil Simpson was there with us. There was a lot in the newspapers before we left about him returning to Gothenburg. Unfortunately we were not able to go and do what he did! He was giving us some stories when we were away about winning the Cup Winners’ Cup over there. As an Aberdeen fan, I enjoyed listening to them.”
 
A special talent, Connor is remarkably mature too and has a tremendous attitude to the game. He is also very focused on what he wants.

“I am in fourth year at school, so the aim would be to come in full-time next year. That is my main goal for the season.

“I have achieved a couple of my goals already. I wanted to train with the U20s before the summer time which I managed to do. I won the talent of the month award which was a goal and I was selected at international level. My next aim is to be selected for the Victory Shield squad, which gets picked in October.

“I just take what is in front of me and get on with it. I am a central midfielder but occasionally I will get pushed out to the wing. I scored my goal for Scotland playing as a winger. I’m happy to adapt.

“I go to the SFA Performance School at Hazelhead. We get training every day which is tiring, but it’s very beneficial if we want to make it in the game. It gives you a little understanding of what it is like to be a full-time professional. You just have to get on with it. Stuart Glennie has done a brilliant job with all the boys.

“The level of coaching in the AFC Academy has also always been very good. There is a very good level of consistency as I have moved through the age levels. This season I have been working with Barry Robson and Derek Young while Neil Simpson has also been helping out. To work with these guys is so good, particularly as they are midfielders. They can teach me so much.

“I did work school work experience at Pittodrie earlier this year and that was something I really enjoyed. I trained with the U20s in the morning and then spent time in the offices in the afternoon. That helped give me an understanding of how the club was run. It was so good training with Paul Sheerin and his side. I was pleased with how I did. I want more of that if possible.”