"EVERYONE is well aware of what I have, but they don't care about that; they treat me the same as everyone else."

And for Stephen Young, that means everything.

Speaking to Press Sport, he couldn't speak highly enough of his new team-mates and manager at Rosyth as he continues to defy the limitations associated with his disability.

Back in June, he featured prominently for Scotland's national cerebral palsy team as they were crowned champions of the CP Football International Trophy in Barcelona.

It was an experience he says "will live with me forever", and vows to repeat the feat in next year's competition.

That will have to wait though as he tackles junior football for the first time after impressing during a pre-season trial with The Rec.

He has done well, making the left back role his own and integrating quickly with the rest of Brian Muirhead's squad.

"The manager has treated me the same as everyone else and that's important to me," Stephen said.

"I don't want to be treated differently because I have cerebral palsy.

"I want to prove and test myself, and show that I can play at the same level as everyone else.

"The club have taken a chance on me and I just want to repay them by playing well.

"Everyone at the club has been very accepting of me. My team-mates have been second to none and I can't thank them enough for that, as well as the manager and the committee.

"All of them have been superb.

"Football shouldn't discriminate against your disability, colour of skin or gender. It should be enjoyed by everyone."

Enjoying football is exactly what he's doing.

He's become a first-team regular – he has been in the squad for every game this season, featuring from the start or off the bench in the majority – and is learning with every game, setting himself both individual and collective targets.

He commented: "I'm playing in a new position at Rosyth but I'm 100 per cent focused on being the best left back in the league.

"I play centre-mid for Scotland but I can play anywhere; a jack of all trades.

"I want us to win the league. It's what I want for not just myself but the squad, the manager and the whole club as they've been brand new with me."

Stephen's hoping the experience of playing at junior level will benefit Scotland when he dons his country's colours again, as he reflected on his summer of cup glory.

"Winning the tournament was an incredible feeling," he recalled.

"It was definitely the highlight of my football career so far. That will live with me forever.

"It was great to pull on the Scotland jersey and win something. It's great showing what we can do as a team.

"I think it will help the national team having me play at junior level. Playing at that level I'll learn and hopefully I can take that into my performances with Scotland."

While Stephen was quick to praise both players and management at Rosyth alike, boss Muirhead was equally complimentary, saying: "He's an absolute gem.

"He carries himself so well and he's been a top professional. He wants to listen and improve. Not every player is like that. Some boys I've had have dropped down from the seniors and are unwilling to.

"He's one of maybe eight players that hasn't missed a single training session since he joined.

"Him and his friend came in on trial – everyone is entitled to show what they can do – and he was excellent.

"At the start of the season, he was high on the list of players that we wanted to bring in.

"During the pre-season running exercises he was either at the front or out in first on his own. And he's not afraid to get stuck in to challenges either.

"I think if he continues performing like he has done and shows the same attitude, then there's a big future ahead for him.

"One club have enquired twice about him.

"I told them we're not letting him go."