Sport Andrew Newport 07:00, 08 Apr 2025
Dundee United kid Sam Cleall-Harding finally got the chance he’s been building to for over a decade on Sunday.
But when his big moment came at Tynecastle, the 19-year-old admits he was given only five minutes to get himself ready.
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The young defender has been dreaming of pulling on a tangerine jersey since he first joined the Tannadice side aged only seven.
That ambition took a huge step closer in January when he was recalled from a loan stint at Kelty Hearts this season, with Jim Goodwin keen to get him involved in his United line-up.
But the promising centre-back wasn’t afforded much notice before he long-awaited debut against Hearts as he was hurled into the starting XI just moments before kick-off after Ross Graham pulled up in the warm-up.
Cleall-Harding didn’t have time to panic and just as well as he put in a commanding show to help his side claim a 1-0 Gorgie win that could yet be vital to their European ambitions.
He said: “I’ve been with the club since I was about seven or something. I supported the club in that, so it was a really proud moment for me.
“Ross Graham was going to be starting the game and then I think he fell somewhere in the warm-up. I just got the nod saying that you're starting.
“So I just had to take it in and try and settle into the game and I thought I'd done that pretty well.
“You get nerves, 100 percent. I think that's pretty normal. But at the end of the day, this is what I want to do.
“I want to be playing games of football at a good level. I just had to take it in and I thought I did that.
“I think it must have been about five minutes before the game started that I was told. I just thought, ‘I need to give my A game.’
“But I'm happy with the win and happy with my performance.
“There was sort of a wee talk before the game that Roscoe was feeling it a wee bit, but I only got told in the warm-up that it was for definite.
“So I just had to switch on and be ready.”
The nod came out of the blue but the youngster was delighted his loved ones had gambled on heading to the game.
“I had my mum, dad and girlfriend at the game. There was probably a few of my mates in the building as well.
“So they're all happy for me.
“Since I've been brought back, they've been at every home and away match, so they were just desperate for me to get some game time.”
“I didn’t even have time to tell them I was starting. I think it was just a bit of a shock surprise for them.”
Now having had his first taste of top team action, Cleall-Harding is desperate for more.
He said: “Yeah, 100 percent. That's why I got brought back here. I want to play games.
“That's all you want to do as a footballer, just play games. So hopefully my performances earn me a place in the team next week.
“There's still a lot to play for this season
“These European places are massive. Massive for the club, massive for the fans and massive for us as players as well. We all want to do it and we know we can achieve that.”
The defender was in the crowd last time United qualified for Europe under Jack Ross a couple of seasons back.
Now he hopes to be on the pitch as they book their return to the continent.
“The last time we were in Europe was a good experience, something I've never watched United do before,” he said.
“If we could achieve that this season, I think that'll be what we're aiming to do.
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“We know the season's not done so there's still European places to play for.
“We'll be looking to get into the European spot 100 percent.”
