For Zack Flatman, the move into senior football represents the next important step in a journey that began when he was just three years old.

The young defender has football running through his family, having grown up as the youngest of his brothers and spending much of his childhood around the game. That early interest quickly developed into a passion, with Zack joining his first team at the age of three before eventually entering the Motherwell youth system at around 11.

He would spend seven years with the Fir Park club, progressing through the age groups and earning opportunities well beyond his years. At just 15, Zack was given the chance to play Under-18 football before making his reserves debut shortly after his 16th birthday.

Reflecting on his development at Motherwell, Zack feels those early opportunities helped him gain valuable experience at a young age. “My time there was good. I got my chance early, playing 18s when I was 15 and played a reserves game a week after my 16th birthday.”

His time at Motherwell came to an end in 2024, with the defender subsequently joining Hamilton. Although the club was going through a difficult period at the time, Zack believes the experience still provided him with valuable lessons and helped prepare him for the next stage of his development.

That next step has now brought him to Kelty Hearts and his first taste of senior men’s football. “I’ve loved my time here so far and I feel like I’ve already learnt a lot,” Zack says. His first-team experience has already included an appearance from the bench against Aberdeen, an opportunity he describes as a great experience.

The move to Kelty was made slightly easier by the fact Zack already knew many of his new teammates. He had spent several months training with the first team towards the end of the previous season, giving him thechance to become familiar with the environment before making the move permanent.

He has also been able to call upon plenty of advice from those around him, including perhaps his most obvious source of guidance, his older brother Callum.

The brothers now find themselves at the same club, something Zack admits he never really imagined would happen. Having expected that they might one day play against each other, the opportunity to share a dressing room and potentially line up alongside one another is a special one.

“On the pitch he’s just like a teammate,” Zack explains. “I’ve never imagined that we’d be playing beside each other. I was sure it would’ve been against each other.” Zack believes the pair already have a good understanding of each other’s games, which could prove useful shouldthey find themselves on the pitch together.

Away from his brother, the young defender has also been making the most of the experience within the Kelty squad. He has spoken regularly with more experienced players, including Higginbotham and McManus, while manager Thomas O’Ware and Michael Tidser have also played an important role in giving him the confidence to express himself.

For Zack, having experienced players around him has provided an opportunity to learn and develop as he makes the adjustment to senior football. “Whenever I have the chance I try to talk to some of the more experienced players to get a better picture when there is something I’m unsure on.”

The young defender describes himself as an aggressive player who brings plenty of energy to the pitch and is determined to give 100 per cent every time heplays. Those qualities will now be tested at senior level as he looks to establish himself within the Kelty squad.

His ambitions for his first season are straightforward. Rather than setting himself a specific target for appearances or minutes, Zack wants to gain the experience he has been looking for and make sure he takes his opportunities whenever they arrive.

“I’m hoping to go and get the experience I’ve been looking for and just trying to take my chance when it comes to trying to break into the team.”

The pathway from youth football to the senior game is rarely straightforward, but Zack has already experienced plenty during his development. Now, with the opportunity to learn from experienced teammates, work under Thomas O’Ware and potentially play alongside his brother, the young defender has an exciting opportunity to make his mark at New Central Park.