He’s battled with stars at Leeds United and found his feet at senior level – all of which has been key to Ethan Erhahon’s development in football over the last 12 months.
The 19-year-old St Mirren has had his praises sung regularly by manager Jim Goodwin this season, making 23 Premiership appearances. He’s signed a long-term Paisley extension too after spending a short spell on loan at English Championship club Barnsley last year.
There, he faced off against first-team stars from the likes of Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday, and he says that plus chats with Goodwin have brought his game forward: “I was on loan at Barnsley before Covid hit.
“That has helped me as well. It was my first taste of English football and even though I was playing U23s football, I was playing against first-team players from the likes of Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday.
“That has helped my game being down there. I played against Tyler Roberts, I thought he was a top player, Barry Douglas played as well, Ezgjan Alioski too. He’s a bit of a hothead! But it was good to play against these type of players and compare myself.
“A lot of conversations with the gaffer… when I was on the bench last year, I was watching older guys like Sam Foley. I am just trying to implement that into my own game.”
Erhahon will be a St Mirren player for the foreseeable future and he can’t wait to kick on in Paisley: “I was happy to sign the new deal and I am playing regularly. That is the main thing as I want to get as many minutes as possible.
“Signing the new deal was a reward for my work and I have had a couple of decent games. It was satisfying to sign the new deal. I am enjoying it, I have came along quite a bit as I am learning every game. I am growing into the game more, my total actions in the game are increasing.
“I’m coming onto a game, I think. There’s a lot of experienced people within this team and playing in the midfield at 19, I would maybe switch off which is a bit of immaturity. But now I am playing a lot more, I’m tuning in more. I’m thinking more and the gaffer’s chats have helped me a lot.”
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