Lewis MacLeod Called Up To Scotland Under 21 Squad

[ian1964 10,625]

Ricky Sbragia names under-21 squad

Wednesday, 07 November 2012

 

Under-21 International Challenge Match

Portugal v Scotland

Wednesday, 14th November 2012, kick-off 6pm (local time)

Estadio do Bonfim, Setubal

 

Interim Scotland under-21 coach Ricky Sbragia has named an 18-player squad for the forthcoming International Challenge Match against Portugal.

 

There are first call-ups for Celtic pair Stuart Findlay and Marcus Fraser as well as Rangers midfielder Lewis MacLeod and Hearts forward Callum Paterson.

 

Islam Feruz, who scored a hat-trick for Scotland Under-19s in last monthâ??s UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifier against Switzerland, has also been named in the squad.

 

The new-look under-21 squad, featuring players born in 1992 or later, play Portugal next Wednesday as they continue preparations for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers, which begin next year.

 

With Billy Stark taking charge of the senior squad for their match in Luxembourg next week, Ricky will guide an under-21 squad full of familiar faces to Portugal.

 

A number of players in the new squad make the step up after playing under Ricky in the recent UEFA Under-19 Championship qualifiers.

 

Ricky said: â??I am stepping in as under-21 coach for one match, so having experience of working with many of the players, and staff, does make the transition easier for all of us.

 

â??Players like Stuart Findlay, Marcus Fraser, Lewis MacLeod, Islam Feruz and Calum Paterson have done very well at under-19 level and it is pleasing to see them taking the next step.

 

â??I actually know most of the other players in the squad, having assisted Billy on a few occasions recently, and after taking an under-20 squad to The Netherlands earlier this year.

 

â??Itâ??s an exciting squad. Stuart Findlay is a 1995 and has done very well to move through the age groups. Lewis McLeod is a first-team regular for Rangers, Tony Watt is scoring goals for Celtic, and Islam Feruz is another one to watch.

 

â??Billy selected the group before going on to work with the senior squad. We have spoken in depth about the plans for this match, and itâ??s up to me to carry on Billyâ??s work for now.â?

 

Scotland squad:

 

Goalkeepers

Jordan Archer (Tottenham Hotspur)*

Christopher Kettings (Blackpool)

 

Defenders

Kieran Duffie (Falkirk)

Stuart Findlay (Celtic)

Marcus Fraser (Celtic)

Kevin McHattie (Heart of Midlothian)

Clark Robertson (Aberdeen)

Lewis Toshney (Celtic)**

 

Midfielders

Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United)

Fraser Fyvie (Wigan Athletic)

Jason Holt (Heart of Midlothian)

Kenneth McLean (St Mirren)

Lewis MacLeod (Rangers)

 

Forwards

Islam Feruz (Chelsea)

Dylan McGeouch (Celtic)

Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian)

David Smith (Heart of Midlothian)***

Anthony Watt (Celtic)

 

* on loan to Wycombe Wanderers

** on loan to Dundee

*** on loan to Raith Rovers

 

http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=2986&newsID=10919&newsCategoryID=1

[simplythebest 0]

But he's in the third division.

[54andcounting 0]

Had to pick Lewis he's playing regular footy - The two keepers Archer & Kettings are on loan to 4th tier clubs in England (Wycombe & Morecambe) and they're not even getting a game for the 1st team.

 

We must be lacking in real quality U21 keepers.

[calscot 0]

Surprised at so many Celtic players who are not getting a game compared to one Rangers player when a fair few are getting game time. We may be in the third division but are playing at a higher standard than that as evidenced by being top of the league and already having already put Motherwell, Falkirk, Alloa and East Fife to sword. Whereas Celtic players are playing in an U21 league which is hardly a high level and not particularly competitive.

Edited November 7, 2012 by calscot

[craig 5,199]

Surprised at so many Celtic players who are not getting a game compared to one Rangers player when a fair few are getting game time. We may be in the third division but are playing at a higher standard than that as evidenced by being top of the league and already having already put Motherwell, Falkirk, Alloa and East Fife to sword. Whereas Celtic players are playing in an U21 league which is hardly a high level and not particularly competitive.

 

Watt & McGeough are getting 1st team game time for Celtic.

 

And even though you have suggested we put these teams to the sword it cant be forgotten how comprehensively we were dumped at home to ICT, as well as struggling against many of the 3rd division teams away from home.

[calscot 0]

Watt & McGeough are getting 1st team game time for Celtic.

 

And even though you have suggested we put these teams to the sword it cant be forgotten how comprehensively we were dumped at home to ICT, as well as struggling against many of the 3rd division teams away from home.

 

So you're saying our young players aren't good enough for the U21 team?

[simplythebest 0]

Tony Watt, how ironic.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

there's a cracking thread on tony watt on rm from when he signed for celtc.

[simplythebest 0]

there's a cracking thread on tony watt on rm from when he signed for celtc.

 

I'd check it if RM wasn't still down, must be at least 24 hours now.

[Waltersgotstyle 297]

Never realised Watt had a trial with us before he signed for them