Flying start goes stale
MICHAEL GANNON
SCOTLAND’S Under-16s had to settle for another stalemate in the Victory Shield as Northern Ireland came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw.
It looked like the Scots, who had drawn with Wales in their opener, would claim victory when Dundee United’s Chris Mochrie netted after 20 minutes.
But they failed to build on their first-half display in Kerry and Euan Williams levelled early in the second half. In the other game, the Republic of Ireland bounced back from their opening defeat to the North in style as they crushed Wales 4-0. GARY MACKAY-STEVEN is hoping the Tartan Army back in his home town will be toasting a Scotland success in Albania this weekend.
The winger knows a thing or two about serving the punters up in the Highlands.
Mackay-Steven revealed he used to pull pints for the Scotland supporters northern branch in his Thurso local when he was a youngster but he’s out to get the Albanians in a froth in Shkoder on Saturday.
Watching Scotland can drive folk to drink at times but GMS is determined to secure the win that will have glasses raised rather than fans drowning their sorrows before the final showdown with Israel on m.gannon@dailyrecord.co.uk Tuesday. Mackay-Steven said: “There are a lot of Scotland fans where I’m from and they go to the games.
“There’s a bus that goes to all the home games. Quite possibly there will be a few guys going who went to the pub I worked in, the Newmarket.
“There aren’t too many pubs up there, it’s a small community.
“Everyone will be looking out for Scotland games. I’ve still got family there, my dad’s in Thurso and so are a lot of my friends.
“I don’t get up all that much but I still speak a lot to people.”
The hills of Shkoder are a fair hike from the Highlands but Mackay-Steven feels right at home in the Scotland squad.
The Aberdeen ace has club-mate Scott McKenna for company as well as old Dundee United and Celtic pal Stuart Armstrong. Then there’s Ryan
He said: “It’s an easy squad to come into. I have played alongside most of the boys, I’m good mates with many of them.
“Even Johnny Russell going back to my Dundee United days.
“It’s nice to catch up with a lot of those who have gone on their own career paths. They’re all doing well and it’s good to be with them again this week.”
Mackay-Steven is in red-hot form for the Dons and hopes his COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTLAND... COME ON SCOTL