Scots good enough to progress: Mac
ALEX McLeish was dealt another UEFA Nations League blow as Celtic’s Kieran Tierney became the latest player to pull out of the Scotland squad for the double-header against Albania and Israel.
The 21-year-old left-back has returned to the Parkhead club on medical advice with a reported leg injury and is the ninth withdrawal ahead of the Group C1 game in Shkoder tonight.
Sheffield United’s John Fleck has been added to the squad for the game against Israel on Tuesday.
Two wins would book a place in the Euro 2020 qualification play-offs and before the news of Tierney’s call-off emerged, Scotland boss McLeish brushed aside controversy around the number of absentees to pay “utmost respect” to those who are available to him.
The former Scotland defender said: “We are going to concentrate on the guys who are in the squad and pay them our utmost respect. I really trust them. We have two really big games ahead of us and we can do it.
“I know we can do it if we can play to our best performance level.”
McLeish did reveal that Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney, left out of the original squad, had declared himself short of fitness despite starting the last three games in all competitions for the London side.
“The players who are not here, are not in my control. What is in my control is these guys in the squad right now who I have the utmost confidence in. There is no doubt about it.” NORTHERN Ireland’s Under-16 Schoolboys are celebrating after lifting the Victory Shield for only the second time in the country’s history.
Former Northern Ireland captain Jim Magilton, Elite Performance Director at the Irish FA, hailed the boys’ ‘resilience and character’ as they celebrated a memorable success.
Gerald Boyle’s side defeated Wales 3-1 in Tralee yesterday afternoon to get the party started.
Orrin McLaughlin, Vicky Saldanha and Euan Williams rom the penalty spot scored the goals that secured a first triumph for the team since 2000-01 when Northern Ireland skipper and Southampton ace Steven Davis was part of the squad.
Northern Ireland defeated the Republic of Ireland 3-1 and also held Scotland 1-1.
Magilton said he was proud of the boys and felt the success had been coming.
“The boys have been excellent,” said Magilton. “This process has been ongoing for four years.
“They have been waiting for this and their resilience and character shines through every time you ask something from them.
“I am so proud of them and this achievement will live with them for the rest of their days.
“It’s the culmination of four years of hard work and they are a special group of players who deserve this.
“We dug in deep to all our reserves and everyone played their part. I’m so pleased for them.”