Spurs defender Connor Ogilvie enjoys playing central role on loan at Gillingham
Published: 00:00, 01 December 2017
Loan defender Connor Ogilvie has enjoyed turning back the clock.
In recent weeks he’s been playing in a position he once did as a 16-year-old.
Gills boss Steve Lovell has been using the on-loan Spurs defender in central defence, as opposed to the regular left-back role he has become accustomed to.
“It is good to get experience in other positions,” said the 21-year-old. “I don’t mind where I play as long as I am on the pitch. I am not fussed.
“As a centre-back you have to deal with some big strikers at this level but I enjoy playing both roles.
“The last time I played central defence was probably when I was 16, so it’s been a while but it hasn’t taken me that long to get used to, so it’s been good.
“We are up against strikers in this league who are a handful. There are some strong players but it has been a good learning curve. I am enjoying the physicality of it and I’m up for the challenge.”
Ogilvie hopes to be involved again this weekend, in the FA Cup against Carlisle.
His first taste of the competition came two years ago, while on loan at Stevenage. Opponents that day were Justin Edinburgh’s Gillingham, who were soundly beaten.
Stevenage were struggling at the wrong end of League 2 at the time but the 3-0 win gave them a big boost.
“That result was massive at the time,” he said.
“It helped us kick on that season and we ended up staying up. I went back the season after and we nearly ended up pushing for promotion.
“That was my first FA Cup game and now at Gillingham I’m hoping we can get a result against Carlisle and go through to play against one of those big boys in the next round.
“There is an exciting feeling throughout the week in the build-up to the game. The feeling in the changing room is good anyway.
“We are unbeaten in seven, hopefully we can win on Saturday and keep the run going.”
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Luke Cawdell