ONE of world football’s superstars saw his career take off following a left-sided switch, and Conner Duthie hopes similar fortunes could befall him.

While stopping short of comparing himself to the Welsh wizard and European Cup winner, the 19-year-old hopes doing a Gareth Bale in reverse can set him up to challenge for a regular place in the Pars’ starting line-up.

Duthie, who moved to East End Park in March on a free from Hibernian, made only his third start for the first team – and his first appearance this season – in Saturday’s cup tie at Buckie Thistle, as Allan Johnston rewarded him for a fine run of form in the Under-20s.

The Dunfermline boss was full of praise for the youngster, who has been converted from a winger into a full-back.

Speaking to Press Sport this week, Duthie said: “I started playing as a winger but since I came here I’ve been learning to play at full-back. Saturday is an experience that I need to learn from but I think I did well.

“I was always a winger or playing in behind the strikers but I look at Gareth Bale; he started at left-back and then moved up to left wing and has done pretty well. I’ve gone the opposite way and I hope to do well like that too.

“I didn’t expect to start. I’ve been doing well with the Under-20s and Potts [John Potter] and the gaffer both said to me that my chance would come, so I was delighted. It was a big Scottish Cup game so it was a hard one to go in to, but at the same time it wasn’t. I had my mind set on being focused to do well for myself and the team and play as I have been consistently week-in, week-out.

“I had Ashy [Lee Ashcroft], Dycey [Callum Fordyce] and Lewis Martin beside me and Sean Murdoch behind, which was great because they were talking me through the game.”

Johnston felt that the teenager didn’t look out of place alongside his more established stars and Duthie is relishing the opportunity to continue his development with Athletic.

His deal is up at the end of the season but he has his eyes on yet more Scottish Cup success – this time in the Youth Cup.

He added: “I hope to stay here because the way that Potts and the gaffer train and work is really good.

“I’ll take things in my stride with the 20s and, if I get another chance in the first team, hope to continue that, but I know that there are other people ahead of me. We’ve got a Youth Cup game at Ayr United on Sunday but I’m not sure if I’ll be involved yet. We beat St Mirren 2-0 in the last round, which was really good for us, and hopefully we can go far and achieve what we want to in the competition.”