How Gillingham defender Connor Ogilvie rebuilt his career after leaving Premier League Tottenham Hotspur

By: Craig Tucker ctucker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 06:00, 28 February 2020

Connor Ogilvie’s performances for Gillingham this season are an example to young players who get released by the big boys.

Defender Ogilvie left Tottenham last summer after 15 years with the north London giants but he’s gone from strength to strength at Priestfield.

Connor Ogilvie celebrates scoring the winning goal for Gillingham at Southend Picture: Ady Kerry

His willingness to go out on loan no doubt helped – he’d spent two years apiece at Stevenage and the Gills before becoming Steve Evans’ first permanent signing – and the defender is feeling the benefits.

Some players struggle when Premier League clubs call time but Ogilvie – an Arsenal fan – was more than ready for the big wide world.

“It was probably easier for me having been out on loan,” said the 24-year-old.

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“I’d been out at Stevenage for two seasons and then here for two seasons so it was easier in that sense because I knew what the environment was about, I’d played games so it wasn’t a hard transition.

“When I was out on loan I only went back to Spurs if I got knocks or injuries but I never got too many of them.

“You’ve just got to accept it and try and work hard to get back as high as you possibly can.

“There’s a few mates at Spurs who’ve had to do that and then there’s Harry Winks, who was in my age group, who’s doing great in the first team.

“It is tough if you haven’t been out on loan and played games and it’s probably a shock to the system but I was prepared for it, I was ready to go my own way.

“I was eight when I joined Tottenham and to be on their books at that age and have the coaching and the facilities, it was amazing and something I never took for granted.

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“I was there for a long time but I was always a big believer in trying to get out and play.

“I didn’t really want to sit around and play under-23s too much.”

Connor Ogilvie was Gills' goal hero against the mighty Sunderland in their League 1 clash at Priestfield this season Picture: Ady Kerry

Gillingham’s back four and goalkeeper have earned plenty of plaudits during their 15-game unbeaten run.

But Ogilvie, now playing left-back after starting the season at centre-half, feels the whole side deserve credit.

He said: “We’ve got a solid back five and a never-say-die attitude but it’s not just us, it’s the whole team.

“They work for each other and when you defend from the front, it makes it a lot easier for us boys at the back.”

Ogilvie’s loan years with the Gills were spent mainly battling in the bottom half of League 1. It’s a different story this season as Evans’ side chase a play-off spot.

“We’re right in it,” said Ogilvie, who’s scored winners against Sunderland, Rochdale and Southend.

“There’s no reason why we can’t have a right go at it. You’ve got to be aiming for it otherwise you’re playing for nothing.

“It would be lovely to get something like a promotion on my CV. Fifteen games unbeaten is crazy but we need to continue that now and turn those draws into wins.

“Training is still intense because you’ve got to stick to what’s been working.

“The intensity is high and the quality is good. It’s a good feel.”