Young Jeanfield Swifts forward Evan Wolecki is taking the step up to senior football in his stride - and is excited about the future.
The striker, who recently penned a new deal with the club until 2025, is learning all of the time and has plans to improve further.
Wolecki had been impressing with the under-20s and that earned him a call-up to Ross Gunnion’s East of Scotland League Premier Division side.
“The step up to the first team was a huge achievement for me as I joined the 20s hoping to progress through,” Wolecki told the PA earlier this week.
“However, it was difficult at first as the tempo was a lot faster and it was a lot more physical.
“Getting the opportunity to be more involved in match days has been key to improving as a player. The lads have been helpful and understanding that I’m just young and learning.”
Just the other week Wolecki ticked off a special milestone moment by netting his first senior goal for the club and against none other than league leaders Linlithgow Rose.
Swifts went on to lose the game 4-2 but his finish whetted the appetite for more.
He revealed: “Scoring my first goal against a good team like Linlithgow felt so surreal. My instant thought afterwards was I want another one.
"I want to improve as a player by learning what it takes to become the best player I can possibly be and not let anyone down by working hard and staying mentally focused.”
Wolecki made sure to highlight how positive his experience has been with the U20s.
“Playing for the 20s at Jeanfield has been great as I’ve learned different coaching techniques and played with great players with the same ambition as me,” he said.
“Ross [Gunnion] and the coaches with the first team have been really helpful too by giving me lots of feedback on how to improve as a player.
“I feel that has happened in such a sort period of time with them and I’m excited for what lies ahead.”
Swifts boss Gunnion says Wolecki has been “steadily progressing” under the coaching of the U20s team and has impressed since making the step up.
“He is part of a very talented group of players,” Gunnion explained.
“He’s stepped up to first team football amazingly well and has all the attributes to do really well for Jeanfield fans - potentially higher - if he continues to apply himself and work hard.
“He got the opportunity to start on Saturday and really grabbed that opportunity by putting in a very good performance.
“If he can continue at that level he’ll be a regular feature towards the end of the season.”
This weekend Swifts’ attention turns to a Premier Division test against Musselburgh.
“We’re in for another tough test with in-form Musselburgh coming to Perth,” Gunnion said.
“They’re strong and hard to beat so we’ll need to be at our best. Unfortunately we go into this game without potentially nine players again.
“Mark Mitchell, Chris Scott, Euan Moyes, Scott Mollison, Chris Dodd, Keiran Stewart, Gary Fergus, Chris McLeish and Dayle Robertson are all injured or very doubtful.
“But that opens the door again for Evan, Adam Leese, Scott Logan, Elliot Scott and Cole Arnold.”
