Southampton starlet ready to bounce back after tough loan

Bragg, 20, was hoping to kickstart his senior career at Crawley following two first-team appearances for Saints in the FA Cup last season. 

He penned a contract extension ahead of joining Crawley but made just six appearances in League One before returning to Staplewood.

"The loan has taught me a lot. It's taught me that football is really, really hard and that you can't always have it your own way," he told the Daily Echo.

"It took me a little bit of time to re-find my feet and get over the hurt from it when I came back because there were a lot of things I didn't agree with.

"I thought some things were wrong and still do. I stand by that. I've had to find a way to get back into the building, I didn't think that would be the case. 

Cam Bragg helped Saints under-21s reach the PL2 play-off quarter-finals on Sunday. (Image: Craig Hobbs/Southampton FC)

"I thought I'd be away and flourish and love it. We've really chalked that period off as a really good lesson learnt. There were some incredible moments.

"And I don't think that your first loan defines you. It's just an experience to go and flourish or sink, and see how you react."

Having grown up in Southampton's academy, Bragg entered a different world in League One and was dealt a change in manager for the first time.

Scott Lindsey, who signed the Scotland youth international, left Crawley in September and Bragg never featured under the new boss, Rob Elliot.

"It took me completely out of my comfort zone," Bragg continued. "Some of the luxuries we get here are completely different when you're out there. 

"Crawley didn't have their own training ground. We were unsure which pitch we would play on. There are so many different things that just happen.

"With league football, you have to fight and earn your place in the football world. There are too many good players out there."

Cam Bragg received his first Scotland under-21s call-up last month. (Image: Craig Hobbs/Southampton FC)

Former Saints boss Russell Martin was a big fan of Bragg, but the technical midfielder will need to impress another new manager this summer.

Bragg is open to another loan experience but is hopeful of impressing the next boss ahead of the Championship, whoever is appointed. 

"We've not looked at it loads yet. I try to keep really present. I think that's a big thing. I'll see what happens in pre-season," Bragg said.

"I'll see who the new manager is. He might come in and take a massive liking to me or he might not. What's the best case scenario?

"It's that I stay within the building and I'm around it. That's the dream and the hope. But if that's not the case, then I'll go and fight out on loan.

"I'll earn my place again and prove a point that I'm ready to play for Southampton, then come back here whenever it's needed. 

"There's no clear plan at the moment, for me, but I'm looking forward to the next step. I'm just ready for whatever it will be now."