RISING Pars star Sam Young said he was “buzzing” to have had a second taste of top-team action – little more than a week after his 17th birthday.

The Dunfermline academy prospect, who made his debut against Celtic B earlier in the SPFL Trust Trophy, started Tuesday’s quarter-final exit at Dundee and played for 55 minutes before being part of a triple substitution made by boss James McPake.

The centre back acquitted himself admirably against experienced opponents – with the scoreline level at 1-1 when he went off – and was delighted with the experience.

“I was just buzzing to be in the team,” he said.

“Obviously, it’s a huge step-up from under-18s football into the first team, but to come out, start and play against a very good Championship side, it was a great experience, everything about it.

“The boy I was playing against was quick, strong, everything you expect of a man, but I really enjoyed it. I had plenty of experience around me, which is always a help. When you’ve got folk like that, who are quick and been playing at a level for a while, obviously it helps you out.

“I thought I did the best I could. I did a few things wrong but you expect that, not being in the team against a very good side.

“It isn’t my debut. Celtic (in the same competition), they were a good side, but coming out against a proper men’s team was definitely more of a challenge.”

Another academy star, Andrew Tod, appeared late as a substitute and provided an assist for Craig Wighton, to score Dunfermline’s second goal, and Young was full of praise for McPake giving youngsters a chance to play.

“It was my birthday just last week. Obviously, we had a long game on Saturday, it went all the way to penalties, but for the gaffer to still give me a chance was a great opportunity,” continued Young, who played for the Pars in their Youth Cup tie with Celtic last night (Friday), which ended in a 6-1 defeat.

“He’s a great manager, James, and I think he’s very good at bringing on the younger ones and pushing them on at first team level. He’s not scared of giving young ones opportunities but, obviously, he says it’s on merit, and you have to earn your place in the team, which I feel like I got told before the game. I feel like I did myself proud.”