Motherwell star combines youth changing room with dream Conference League chance as loan move thoughts flipped

The teenage midfielder has been a regular for new boss Alfred Johansson in the early stages of their campaign domestically and in Europe. Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup exit to Stenhousemuir was a setback but it’s been an otherwise fantastic start for Motherwell who have progressed to the Conference League play-off round to face German Bundesliga side Freiburg.

A clash against last season’s Europa League runners-up has come after wins over HB Torshavn and HJK Helsinki with Booth’s senior debut coming in leg one against Faroese opposition. He has played every match in Europe so far in a dream start after recovery from an ACL injury but remains in the youth team changing room. It’s help keeping him humble as the Fir Park team prepares for what will be one of the club’s biggest-ever European ties.

What Motherwell talent has progressed to first team?

“It's off to a flyer, really,” said Booth. “I didn't really believe that I'd be starting games, coming on, having such an impact and just doing what I'm good at. It's every kid's dream really, playing in European competitions, playing in the league that you were watching when you were coming up. It's really a dream. I just can't believe it's all happening right now and I'm loving it.

“I'm still in the youth team dressing room now but when I'm in the gym all the first-team boys are there and so many youth boys are there so we all just sort of mingle with each other and have a good chat. I don't know who decides about going in the dressing room or not, but listen, I'm not really too bothered about that. I like being in the youth team room with all the boys I grew up playing with.

“We still do the kit. When the youth team is off I still do all the kit, like the kit van, I pack the balls onto the bus. I pack all the cones for the first team but the first two years we usually cleaned first team boots. I've grown out of that now now I've been here for two or three years! We still have to do setting up training, some of the coaches need help setting up, putting mannequins out, getting the mini goals out, putting the balls where they are, picking up the cones, moving the goals, so I still do all that. It keeps everybody’s feet on the ground.”

Mikey Booth on Motherwell breakthrough

Considering he’d only recently returned to training after a long-term injury, Booth perhaps expected to be out on loan at some stage this term, but that has not transpired. The academy product has impressed in first-team training and now looks set to play a part in Johansson’s squad moving forward.

“I think I would have went on loan and then gained experience out there and then maybe next year I'd play in this team,” added Booth. “I didn't really think that I'd just come straight in and do what I've done. I didn't really think that this season would have started the way it has.

“I'm hopefully inspiring so many young boys. Being out there and doing what I'm good at, and just being yourself on the pitch really, and just showing everyone what you can do. I'm hoping that I’m inspiring so many youngsters, even in the academy at Motherwell , all the other boys that are watching. Hopefully I can inspire them and give them a path to look towards as well.”