Inverness Caley Thistle teenager Ethan Cairns lives the first team dream as he scores against Greenock Morton
ETHAN Cairns used to watch from the stands and idolise Billy Mckay as he banged in the goals for Caley Thistle.
On Saturday, the up-and-coming Inverness striker found himself in a gleeful embrace with his great hero after a career first he will never forget.
The 18-year-old, making only his third club appearance, came on with just six minutes remaining to net a first senior goal and rescue a point against Morton.
It was an opportunistic finish the Northern Ireland international himself would have been proud of, sending the boyhood Caley Thistle fan into dreamland.
Cairns, though, was to experience the agony and ecstasy of Championship football, all within a few minutes.
Not long after his finish, the Fort William-raised youngster was left writhing in pain after injuring his shoulder in a fall. None of it, though, could detract from a wonderful day for him and watching parents John and Carol.
Speaking with arm in sling after the match, Cairns revealed: “I got a goal, then two minutes later I just fell on my shoulder. The sling is just a precaution. The doctor thinks it shouldn’t be too bad.
“As the ball came over my head, I just tried to get my foot on it and thankfully it crept under the goalkeeper.
“It is a moment I won’t forget.
“I was a bit shellshocked, but I’m absolutely buzzing, especially with my mum and dad in the crowd. My dad is football mad and my brother Owen plays for Elgin, so he tries to see one of us each week with mum.
“Honestly, it felt surreal. I was a Caley Thistle fan growing up, but I’m from Fort William so I just tried to get to as many games as possible.
“When I was nine or 10, I would watch players I play with now, particularly Billy Mckay scoring his goals. Now I come on to the pitch up top with him and get a goal. It’s unbelievable.”
Cairns is highly regarded within the club and spent time this season on loan at Forres Mechanics to help his leap into the men’s game.
He is relishing the chance, amid persistent squad injury problems, to make a mark under manager Billy Dodds.
“I came in to work with the first team squad a year and a half ago, turning full-time and settling into what is a demanding environment for a young player,” Cairns said. “I was still young and it takes a lot of getting used to but the older players give plenty of encouragement. In the past few months, they have just been telling me to keep going, keep improving myself both as a person and on the ball.
“It’s very competitive. I see it in training day-in, day-out, but it’s not to the point where it’s players fouling me, it’s very encouraging.
“As a young player there are obviously fewer opportunities, but the manager has just said that when I do get on the park, I just need to try and make sure I make an impact and do what I can for the team.
“That’s what he’s telling all the young boys.”