Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Eric impressed by Scots squad
ERIC Black claims it took him only minutes to deduce that the new-look Scotland squad i ncludes several players who could play in the English Premier League.
The Southampton coach has joined up with interim manager Malky Mackay a h e a d o f T h u r s d a y ’s friendly against Holland at Pittodrie.
M a c k a y, t h e S FA ’s p e r fo r m a n c e d i r e c t o r, named eight uncapped players in his squad, and 14 players from his original 24-man squad ply their trade i n Scotland, i n a departure from departed boss Gordon Strachan’s perceived preference for English-based players.
Aberdeen pair Graeme Shinnie and Ryan Christie, Nottingham Forest striker Jason Cummings, Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack, Paul Hanlon of Hibs, Celtic’s Callum McGregor, Millwall keeper Jordan Archer and Leeds defender Liam Cooper are all looking to earn their first cap.
Black has spent well over a decade in English football and was i mmediately impressed by the standard of the squad as they trained at Oriam, near Edinburgh.
The former Motherwell manager said: “I have to plead a little bit of ignorance because it is so quick down in the Premier League, you are constantly looking at the opposition. I only see highlights and bits and pieces (of Scottish football).
“But I was really impressed in terms of the quality. I know it is a young squad but even the ones that have been here, the attitude was outstanding.”