Ventisei determined to 'repay faith' after signing pro Glasgow deal
Glasgow centre Johnny Ventisei - who made his senior debut in Saturday's win over Leinster - has signed his first professional contract with the club. The 20-year-old played a part in two of Glasgow's six tries at the weekend, having previously captained Scotland Under-20s. He credited head coach Franco Smith for giving him the belief to break into the starting XV and also spoke about what it is like working with Glasgow's senior centres, including Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu.
"I'm over the moon," Ventisei told Glasgow's club media. "To be able to sign my first pro contract with my boyhood club is beyond special - it's a real dream come true. "It's been a surreal week to be honest.
When Franco told me I was going to be starting against Leinster, I couldn't believe it. "It's been unbelievable to learn from the group of centres here. For me, I think we've got three of the best centres in the world in Stafford [McDowall], Sione [Tuipulotu] and Huw [Jones], so to be able to watch them and see how they operate at the highest level is a priceless opportunity for me and the other young guys here.
"Franco and the coaches have been superb, as well. From the minute we all got here and came into the academy a couple of years ago, he's been so good with us and making it feel like a unified squad - there's no real line between academy and senior squad, it feels like we're all one group. "The confidence the coaches have shown in me is amazing and I'm determined to repay that faith.
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