chilledbear 16 Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Billy Stark, the Scotland youth team manager, has worked with many of the young players at international level and assessed their readiness to make the step up. Andrew Shinnie Position Midfield Age 20 We used Andrew on the right side of midfield for the Scotland under-21s. He's not a traditional winger in the sense of looking to beat players and penetrate defences, but was more than capable of getting in behind players and looking to score from wide areas. His preferred area, though, is in the middle and you could tell that from his play as he wanted to hold on to the ball and pass it. It's an easier position to play but he never shirked his responsibilities when asked to play on the flanks. Rory Loy Position Attack Age 21 Rory is another who has been used in a number of positions. On loan at Dunfermline last year they played him in wide in a front three but I would say he was more suited to a central role. He works along the line well and is a hard worker. Front players these days have to possess a work ethic as they are the first line of pressure to get the ball back. That is something Rory does well but will be looking to master going forward. Danny Wilson Position Defence Age 17 Danny trained with the first team in the second half of last season and was on the bench for the Scottish Cup final so he would seem to have a real chance. He's certainly comfortable on the ball but he can defend too - there's no point passing it like Beckenbauer if you can't do the basics. He's very competitive and is left-sided which is a bonus. It's quite common for teams to play a right-footed player on the left so the fact Danny's naturally left-sided would seem to further aid his cause. Ross Perry Position Defence Age 19 Ross has a terrific built and presence for a centre half, with good upper body strength. He's reasonably quick over the ground, athletic, and can go and challenge in the air. His reading of the game could always improve but that is something that comes with age and experience. He should get that playing with better players if he makes the step up at Rangers. Jamie Ness Position Midfield Age 18 We had Jamie at under-19s last year and he will be with us again next season. He's 6ft, left-footed and very comfortable in the middle of the park. He's the kind of player who always wants to be on the ball and make things happen, although he likes to get his foot in, too. He's got decent body strength but that needs to be developed, which is only natural in a young lad. He is also working hard on his passing to try to improve that aspect. Archie Campbell Position Attack Age 18 Archie has proven to be a prolific goalscorer. He's very quick and uses that to his full advantage. It will be interesting to see when he steps up to men's football if his pace is still as explosive and whether he can still exploit it fully. He also is very industrious and runs himself into the ground which is a real asset. His finishing has been deadly in youth football but it is something he needs to keep working on. Billy Stark, the Scotland youth team manager, has worked with many of the young players at international level and assessed their readiness to make the step up. Andrew Shinnie Position Midfield Age 20 We used Andrew on the right side of midfield for the Scotland under-21s. He's not a traditional winger in the sense of looking to beat players and penetrate defences, but was more than capable of getting in behind players and looking to score from wide areas. His preferred area, though, is in the middle and you could tell that from his play as he wanted to hold on to the ball and pass it. It's an easier position to play but he never shirked his responsibilities when asked to play on the flanks. Rory Loy Position Attack Age 21 Rory is another who has been used in a number of positions. On loan at Dunfermline last year they played him in wide in a front three but I would say he was more suited to a central role. He works along the line well and is a hard worker. Front players these days have to possess a work ethic as they are the first line of pressure to get the ball back. That is something Rory does well but will be looking to master going forward. Danny Wilson Position Defence Age 17 Danny trained with the first team in the second half of last season and was on the bench for the Scottish Cup final so he would seem to have a real chance. He's certainly comfortable on the ball but he can defend too - there's no point passing it like Beckenbauer if you can't do the basics. He's very competitive and is left-sided which is a bonus. It's quite common for teams to play a right-footed player on the left so the fact Danny's naturally left-sided would seem to further aid his cause. Ross Perry Position Defence Age 19 Ross has a terrific built and presence for a centre half, with good upper body strength. He's reasonably quick over the ground, athletic, and can go and challenge in the air. His reading of the game could always improve but that is something that comes with age and experience. He should get that playing with better players if he makes the step up at Rangers. Jamie Ness Position Midfield Age 18 We had Jamie at under-19s last year and he will be with us again next season. He's 6ft, left-footed and very comfortable in the middle of the park. He's the kind of player who always wants to be on the ball and make things happen, although he likes to get his foot in, too. He's got decent body strength but that needs to be developed, which is only natural in a young lad. He is also working hard on his passing to try to improve that aspect. Archie Campbell Position Attack Age 18 Archie has proven to be a prolific goalscorer. He's very quick and uses that to his full advantage. It will be interesting to see when he steps up to men's football if his pace is still as explosive and whether he can still exploit it fully. He also is very industrious and runs himself into the ground which is a real asset. His finishing has been deadly in youth football but it is something he needs to keep working on. http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/359398765?-11344 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frankie 8,485 Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 All sounds reasonable enough to me... Wilson, Ness and Campbell are the pick of the bunch for me. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilledbear 16 Posted July 22, 2009 Author Share Posted July 22, 2009 My worry would be, if the next step is Reserve League, or on loan to First or Second Division Clubs, their progress will stop. Hopefully the suggestions of playing EPL teams, will be a better way forward. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilledbear 16 Posted July 22, 2009 Author Share Posted July 22, 2009 Someone who is impressed with the youngsters yesterday. Manager Chris Wilder declared Oxford United's pre-season tour of Scotland a huge success. The U's headed home last night after going down 2-0 to Rangers in their behind-closed-doors friendly. But they acquitted themselves extremely well against the Gers' under 21 side ââ?¬â?? all of whom are internationals. Andy Little hammered the opening goal on 13 minutes, with Steve Lennon doubling the lead with 15 minutes to go. But with strikers James Constable and Matt Green each going close on two occasions, United were certainly not outclassed. Wilder was delighted with the application of the players, both in the match, and over the five days. "It was great for the players to play against 11 internationals," he said. "We've come across something today that we probably won't come up against all season unless we have a good cup run ââ?¬â?? and that was a side who just kept the ball and never lost it. "We have played at a top, top club against top, top young players and it will stand us in good stead." 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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