Former Greenwood pupil is a rising star

Mar 4 2009 By John Woods

FORMER Greenwood Academy pupil Ben Carson is one of the SPL's rising stars – and he's got a fabulous trophy to prove it.

The talented midfielder has picked up a Clydesdale Bank Rising Star award after the 18-year-old started the season in scintillating form with a goal against Celtic U19s in a 2-0 win and another in a 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock's youngsters.

Ben also netted in a 2-0 win over Dundee United after being promoted to the Buddies reserves and manager Gus MacPherson showed what he thought of the Bourtreehill kid by naming him as a first team substitute against Celtic in November.

Ben's displays also caught the eye of the other SPL U19 coaches who decide who gets the Rising Star accolade, but he knows he still has a long way to go.
"“It’s a good thing to win and it shows I’m working hard on the park and people are noticing I’m working hard as well," he said. "You expect these awards to go to players at the bigger clubs so I’ve done well to win it and I’m delighted. But I know I need to keep working hard and at the end of the day it’s hard work that will get you there.”

Ben, from Hillshaw Green, started his career as a nine-year-old with Dreghorn Boys' Club and was in the Greenwood Academy team which became the first in Ayrshire to win the Scottish Shield. He had a season with Hibs as a 13-year-old but signed for Saints after scout Colin Hogg spotted him playing in the Shield Final and invited him to Love Street. “The boss has already given young players like Stephen McGinn and Marc McAusland the chance of first team football and all their hard work really paid off when they were chosen to train with Billy Stark's Scotland U21 squad," added Ben.

Asked if he was dreaming of any more first team appearances the level-headed youngster said: "Saints manager Gus McPherson has already demonstrated to all the young lads at the club that you'll get a chance here if you’re prepared to put the work in. “Obviously I have to keep doing my best for the U19s and taking my chances in the Reserves when they come.”