Ewan Wilson had only ever experienced the thrill of scoring a goal for Beith Juniors – and one of those was a rocket.
But after netting his first ever strike in the professional ranks for Motherwell the Fir Park kid insists he is ready to shoot for the stars. Wilson kept his cool to slam Stuart Kettlewell’s side ahead in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Aberdeen which was beamed out live on TV. His 34th minute opener from Tony Watt’s cutback arrived in the Well Academy product’s 30th appearance for the Steelmen.
The 20-year-old has had spells on loan at Stirling Albion and Albion Rovers. But it was only during a short loan stint in the sixth rung of Scottish football with Beith that he ever bulged the net – including a ferocious 30 yarder against Arthurlie.
And it’s something the versatile Scotland U-21 international has vowed to add to his game on a more regular basis after breaking his duck in the top tier. He said: “The goal’s been coming. It’s my first at professional level. I got two at Beith Juniors. One was a rocket from the middle of the park and one was inside the six-yard box, first-time into the bottom corner from the left-hand side. But I’m really happy to get one here at Fir Park especially.
“I didn’t really have a celebration, it was just one of those where the adrenaline’s just coming over me after scoring. I just fist-bumped because I was so happy to get my first goal.
“To be honest, after it went in I was just looking around because nobody really celebrated! I was looking to see if someone was maybe offside in the build-up. But luckily enough it wasn’t ruled out so I’m very happy.
“I had my dad, stepmum, girlfriend, girlfriend’s mum and dad, and my mum and sister at the game. There’s a lot of people who watch me so I’m really thankful it was on the telly too. The boys were happy for me as everyone would be, especially on the journey I’ve had, so I was delighted to get the praise.
“Even just playing first-team football is a big achievement for me. But to get my first goal, with hopefully many more to come, is even bigger.”
The games come thick and fast for Well with a trip to Kilmarnock up tomorrow night making it six games in 19 days for Wilson. Even for a youngster it’s a heavy toll. But having jumped back into fifth spot with the win over the Dons the midfielder insists there’s no grumbles in the Fir Park ranks – especially now long term injured stars including Callum Slattery and Paul McGinn are back in action.
He said: “I’m sore but when it comes to this time of the season it’s all about preparation. Even after games, just keeping myself ticking over, stretching, so that I can continue to keep going with these fixtures.
“It’s been tough on all the boys with injuries, and most people playing continuously. But we’ve all stuck to it and done well with this run of games.
“Seeing Slatts (Slattery) coming back, a vital player for us, and Paul is massive as well. It’s good to get those players back, hopefully get them fitter so they can play more minutes but it’s good to get the squad sort of back to where it was with everyone fit.”