IT’S NOT ALL DOOHAN & GLOOM
Ross: We’ll come of age in next Euro tilt
ROSS DOOHAN insists a dead-rubber defeat to the Auld Enemy signals signs of life in Scotland’s next crack at the Euros.
The 20-year-old keeper was a standout on Tuesday as two wonder strikes saw Scot Gemmill’s Under-21s lose 2-0 at Tynecastle.
No fewer than 13 of the squad that failed to reach next summer’s European Championships in Italy will still be eligible for the Euro 2021 campaign.
But Doohan is adamant that factor plus facing a team of England’s quality will stand Scotland in good stead.
He said: “It’s a big challenge facing a side like England but the boys showed they could go toe to toe with them.
“Apart from those two finishes we played well defensively. We had bodies blocking shots and stopping crosses. There were a lot of positives to take.
“The team were brilliant in terms of blocking shots but you have to credit the two England boys with very good finishes.
“If the chances come for them I have to do my best to try to save them.
“There are a lot of positives to take into the next campaign as a lot of the boys are still eligible. We went in with a game plan to keep a structure. We tried to follow that and hope we’d get a break. It’s obviously hard but you have to try to take the positives from the game.”
Doohan replaced Robby McCrorie on Tuesday after the Rangers youngster made a dreadful error in last week’s 3-1 loss to Ukraine, which ended any chance of a play-off spot.
The Celtic keeper, starring on loan at Ayr, revealed he offered support to his rival as he knows the feeling of being in the line of fire. He said: “Myself and Robby have known each other for years, playing with and against each other.
“We both know it’s a competition for one place. You just have to try your best and when you get the chance you have to take it.
“Obviously there’s the goalkeepers’ union. You have to stick with each other as it’s a hard position to play.
“Unless you’re a keeper you can’t know what it’s like. You have to try to keep each other positive and going. You also need to push each other in training and try to get the best out of each other.”
Doohan will now turn his attention to Saturday’s game of the day in the Championship, which has his table-topping Ayr travelling to Ross County.
And he paid tribute to Ayr boss Ian McCall for backing him as No.1 while Celtic gaffer Brendan Rodgers monitors the Honest Men’s fortunes.
He said: “Rodgers has told me he’s keeping an eye on the scores. Someone from Celtic is at every game keeping an eye on me. I’m in at Celtic at the start of the week and always asked how I’m getting on.
“The scouts and coaches speak with me every day, checking how training has been and how preparation is going.
“It’s the best of both worlds – I’m getting the games with Ayr and still in at Celtic. Going out on my own and playing first-team football has made a big difference. There’s a big difference between reserve football and the real thing.”
It’s a big challenge but the boys showed they could go toe to toe with England ROSS DOOHAN