Ross County manager Stuart Kettlewell on up-and-coming Staggies player who reminds him of himself
The Dingwall club's boss praises a midfielder who is showing signs of being able to cope in whatever position he has been asked to play in, like Kettlewell did as a player.
Stuart Kettlewell says up-and-coming “unsung hero” Jamie Williamson reminds the Ross County boss of himself as a player.
Teen Williamson made his debut for the Staggies at Stranraer two years ago and has gained valuable loan experience in the Highland League with Nairn County and Strathspey Thistle.
Now 19, Williamson impressed in his first start for County in their 2-1 KDM Evolution Trophy win at Elgin City last week.
He then came on as a substitute in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier Sports Cup victory at Dunfermline – a result earned Kettlewell’s men a crack at Hibs in next month’s quarter-final tie.
Williamson reminds boss of himself
Williamson is versatile, and Kettlewell explained how being able to answer the call in several positions was an asset he had in his own playing days, though he was chiefly a midfielder.
He said: “Jamie’s like a young Stuart Kettlewell – playing in every single position!
“I don’t think that’s right for everybody. We’ve spoken a lot about player development, and I know it’s a big subject in Scotland right now, but some people can do it and some people can’t.
“Sometimes it affects their understanding of the game, but I don’t think that’s the case for Jamie.
“Someone like Calum Brown (who is on loan at Elgin City) is a number nine, a central striker, and he needs to learn how to become that, so chopping and changing his position won’t do him any favours.
“Jamie has got so many traits, and I don’t think I’ve seen him perform badly in any of these roles so far.
“He has been a valuable member of this squad, and I thought he deserved his start against Elgin and acquitted himself really well.
“With some players I think you can do that, and others I think you really need to target what they are and stick to it.
“I always felt that I could play in any position, and do any role and any job, and it didn’t affect me as such. I can definitely see that in Jamie’s make-up.”
Williamson’s passing impresses Ross County gaffer Kettlewell
Having come through as a midfielder, Williamson has been unfazed by being pitched into the backline and Kettlewell outlined his important passing qualities.
He said: “I think sometimes around here Jamie goes as a wee bit of an unsung hero.
“He’s unfortunate not to have had more minutes, because I think he trains so well every day.
“He’s a lad that does the right things, and if he makes a mistake he responds well.
“We feel he’s really versatile. In pre-season he played in a back three, which he had never done before, and I thought he was outstanding.
“We think Jamie can play as a centre-back, a full-back or in midfield, so he gives himself the chance to play in our team with that versatility.
“You saw the other night a lot of his passes, and where he wants to go with the ball when his execution is good, and that’s a nice thing to have in your backline.
“You have to be able to defend first and foremost, but if we want to try and build up attacks, having someone who can do that is a nice trait to have.”
Duo are in the frame for action
And Kettlewell says Williamson and 21-year-old midfielder Andrew Macleod are earning the right to be considered every week for senior side action.
He added: “Everybody’s had a chance here. I’ve spoken about that – we didn’t put any player out on loan early because we wanted to make sure we were set on what their level was and where we should be pitching them.
“Guys like Andrew Macleod and Jamie Williamson have absolutely pitched themselves as first-team players.
“They will want more consistency in minutes, but that’s the challenge to them: to make sure they are doing better than the other guys in their position.
“They are both very much part of our thoughts, and have been part of our group since the start of the season.”
‘I know what I can do, I just need to show it’ – Andrew Macleod
Young middle-man Macleod, 21, explained he is determined to catch Kettlewell’s attention in a bid to secure more game-time this term.
He said: “Everyone is champing at the bit to play, but, with the team playing so well, you just have to take your opportunity when you get it.
“You also have four training days, so you have to do your best in training every single day.
“Whether you get 30, five or two minutes if you come on as a sub, you have to show what you can do – I know what I can do, I just need to show it.”
**** Ross County’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at home to Premiership side Hibernian has been confirmed for Saturday, September 12 at 3pm, with the League One game against Hamilton Academical, which was set for that afternoon, to be rescheduled.
[Source: Press and Journal]
