Feruz snubs Scotland

[ian1964 10,720]

Play for Scotland? Forget it: Fully fit Chelsea kid Islam Feruz snubs another international call-up.

 

THE striker was wanted by Under-19 boss Ricky Sbragia to take part in the European Championship Elite Round next week, but has made it clear he has no intention of turning up for international duty.

 

 

 

CHELSEA hitkid Islam Feruz has turned his back on 
Scotland – after pulling out of yet another youth squad while fully fit.

 

The talented striker, who was born in Somalia but grew up in Glasgow, was wanted by Under-19 boss Ricky Sbragia to take part in the European Championship Elite Round in England next week.

 

But Feruz made it clear he had no intention of turning up for international duty – and will instead play for Chelsea in Hong Kong as part of the KFC Citibank Soccer Sevens 
tournament.

 

Last week he was a key member of the Blues’ squad who beat Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup Final at Old Trafford.

 

When Sbragia selected Feruz a year ago for the U-19’s Elite Round in Belgium he made himself unavailable despite pleas from performance director Mark Wotte.

 

The 18-year-old former Celtic youngster hasn’t kicked a ball for Scotland since last August when he was hooked by U-21 boss Billy Stark in a 6-0 defeat to England at Bramall Lane.

 

Record Sport understands the SFA have become increasingly frustrated at his lack of desire to play for Scotland.

 

The highly-rated teenager was born in Somalia but after his family sought asylum in Glasgow he signed for Celtic.

 

He made his Parkhead debut as a 14-year-old in Tommy Burns’s Memorial Match and featured 
for Scotland’s Under-17 side at 
the same age – after former SFA chief executive Gordon Smith fought for a change in FIFA’s guidelines to accommodate players like Feruz who had five years education in this country.

 

Dutchman Wotte has previously likened Feruz to ex-Brazil superstar Romario and believes he is one of Scotland’s top prospects.

 

But after withdrawing his 
services from Sbragia’s squad and being left out of Stark’s U-21 pool for their Euro qualifier against Holland next week it’s not certain when Feruz will pull on a Dark Blue shirt again.

 

Sbragia has refused to rule out a return for Feruz or Southampton duo Sam Gallagher and Matty Targett who will both play for England’s Under-19 side against Scotland in Burton next week. The duo qualify for Scotland and have been included by Sbragia in previous Scots squads and will still be eligible until they have played a full international for the Auld Enemy.

 

Sbragia said: “The door is never closed, it’s always open, that’s the same for everyone.

 

“I can understand Sam and Matty because they’re English-born players. And I know for a fact that, as much as we picked them earlier, they want to play for their home country.

 

“I’ll speak to them both next week in England and we wouldn’t shut the door on them.”

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/play-scotland-forget-it-fully-3592418

[Ser Barristan Selmy 222]

I will hazard a guess he will never play a proper competitive match for Chelsea and will end up playing in the English lower leagues or SPL. I'm surprised he is still 18, thought he was a lot older than that. Perhaps he is.

[Gribz 829]

I know Scotland isn't exactly first choice for some to play for but surely he'd take that rather than Somalia.

[Super Cooper 0]

Starks legacy. That clown should never have been anywhere near the international set up.