Ben Symes

he looks like a man amongst boys sometimes out there even just the way he kind of holds off the central defenders and a lot of maturity to his game yeah like I think he obviously gone up another level and the big question is like can he go up another level again for during the summer so that's hopefully like he's proved everybody wrong he's any doubters that he's had he's conquered them so it's a big opportunity again for him

You probably played all your football as a centre-back growing up.

What's the transition like for you then to go and play in midfield and how hard was that to get your head around?

Yeah.

And I suppose the impact like Derek McInnes has had as well on you and your game, he spoke quite complimentary about you all season as well.

Like what's it been like working with him?

I spoke to Ross Tierney just as you were making a move last summer and obviously you played with Ross and you're good pals with him growing up as well.

He said you got a move to Haerts and it was a great move.

You were signed because your pressing stats and your physicality and your running power was something that the people at Haerts had seen and picked out and thought that you'd be a great fit for their team.

How has that sold to you, that move to Haerts last summer?

Yeah.

It's something that now that Shelburne are also kind of using as well to sign players.

I remember I was in school a couple of years ahead of Oisín and everyone was like, oh, this young lad is coming into the school next week and he's just had a trial at Man United and he's playing against David Beckham's son, Brockham Beckham.

So, yeah, like there was obviously...

That must have ruined your ambitions as a footballer.

I was already retiring at that stage, to be honest.

But yeah, no, it was mad.

And I remember actually the time you signed for Newcastle as well, Oisin, back, I think you were 16, you signed back then as well.

Like just on that, like to leave your family, to leave your friends and stuff at home.

And I know some of your mates back home as well.