Kilmarnock new boy Robbie Deas sold on Rugby Park project and relishing Premiership chance

dailyrecord.co.uk:

It has been a long and winding journey, but finally at 23 Robbie Deas is set to play Scottish Premiership football.The Celtic youth was highly-rated in the Glasgow side's academy, but at 18 he made the mature decision to go out on loan at Cowdenbeath in League Two.His first training session was an eye-opener –well maybe not – as he had his nose burst open.Walking out at Central Park was worlds away from Celtic Park, but after a successful loan spell he then went to Alloa for a season.In 2020 Deas decided to give up the pampered life at Celtic, move out from his mum and dad's home and relocate to Inverness.It was a tough final season in the Highlands after suffering a leg break, but his final game in red and blue was the Scottish Cup final against his former side Celtic - and he decided he wanted more of that which led him to answering Derek McInnes' call and moving to Kilmarnock.The centre back said: “I have had to work to get where I am now.“I went on loan at a young age and when I went to Cowdenbeath when I was young and I remember some other players saying I was too good for that level.“But you don’t realise how tough the leagues are and some have found out later in their careers how hard it can be.“There are a lot of good players down the leagues and it is a massive learning experience.“In my first training session I got my nose burst open and you don’t get that at Celtic.“There it was about possession and dominating games.

But as a defender you need to learn how to defend.“I didn’t realise how pampered I was at Celtic until you went somewhere else.

But that is the reality.“Youth football is about learning different skills, but I had to learn quickly in League Two to defend against bigger, quicker and stronger