Ecrepont knows the challenges he faces
Finn Ecrepont couldn’t have picked a worse time to be breaking on to the international scene as a left-back.
With Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Barry Douglas and Lewis Stevenson all around, it could be hard to make an impact.
But the 15-year-old starlet won’t let that phase him.
He said:“There are a lot of good players in my position, that’s obvious.
“But that spurs me on, as I want to be a part of that. It’s rare to get as much depth in a position, especially at left-back.
“But I just need to look at Andy Robertson as he started at Queen’s Park and look at how far he’s come.
“He’s playing in Champions League finals. He has achieved all that by working hard and putting his all into what he does, so all I can do is try my best to do the same.
“Also when you look at Kieran Tierney he’s probably a future captain for Celtic and I look up to players like him.
“I look at these players and say‘wow’, that’s where I want to be.
“So if I work hard enough hopefully I can get there one day. I relish the challenge of fighting for these spots.
“I want to play there for my country at that level and I’ll do anything I can to get there.
“I’ve watched Scotland training which was an amazing experience.
“So now I have witnessed what sort of tempo and level I need to get to and how hard it will be to get to that, but I am determined.”
Ecrepont has already been involved in the Scotland set-up, representing his country 10 times at under 16 level - and even scored against England at tournament level.
He said:“It was scary walking in with my Ayr United tracksuit when there was boys with Man City and Chelsea gear on.
“I’ve not played for the under 17s yet, but I’m hoping to break into the side ahead of the Euro qualifiers coming up.
“I’ve just got to take it as I come. Every cap I get and every tournament I play at I just need to work hard and try my best.
“My dream was to play for Ayr United, and now I have signed a full-time contract it all feels real.
“But I always want to play at the highest level I can so my aim is to break into the first team, and the ultimate dream is to represent my country.”