Kidsaremore than all right for Strachan
IT WAS Sir Matt Busby who first coined the phrase “if they are good enough, they are old enough” and the great man certainly followed through on his words.
Gordon Strachan doesn’t have a teenage George Best to pick from or a Duncan Edwards, but the Scotland manager has shown that he is more than willing to offer a chance to any player he believes can help the international team.
He cares little for age. It is why Kieran Tierney became at 18 years and 297 days the ninth youngest to wear the Scotland shirt. It is why Oliver Burke was given his debut when not much older, and before he became a superstar. John McGinn of Hibernian is 21 and plays in the Championship.
All have been named in the squad for what is lining up to be two massive World Cup qualifying games against Lithuania at home a week on Saturday and then the tricky away trip to Slovakia.
Rangers’ Barrie McKay, another 21-year-old, has been called up, as has Jack Hamilton, the Hearts goalkeeper who is 22.
Under previous managers, so many young and relatively inexperienced players would not be in the same squad. They won’t all play, only Tierney and Burke have any chance of a start; however, the manager has made it clear that if he thinks a player can be an improvement, then he will be in.
Strachan said: “It was disappointing Kieran had to pull out of the last squad, but he had to go away for an injection in his ankle. So he’s 19. Let’s get him in. It is there for you if you want to take it. But it doesn’t close the door to Gordon Greer. If somebody is better than Gordon Greer, then get yourself in.
“In my opinion, there is nobody better than the four centre-halves we have got now. If somebody wants to do better, then get better and play for top clubs.”
Strachan is not interested in bedding a player in at Under-21 level and then seeing how he does. Burke, the record £13million man who is plying his trade with RB Leipzig, is the prime example. Strachan would rather see how a teenager copes with training with the senior squad.
“You have to deal with that pressure. I think that expectation of a young player is something you have to deal with. If you can, you get on and you become a better player,” Strachan said.
“If you are going to blow us away we are not going to mess about with 19s and 21s. Bang, you are in there. There are so many good players who started at an early age.”
And talking about giving the young ones a chance, Shaun Maloney is back in the squad at the age of 33 after missing out last time.
Strachan loves the wee man, the two enjoyed great times together at Celtic, and he believes the likes of Tierney and McKay will learn so much from a player who is still the best in training when the squad get together.
“Shaun has been doing his stuff as a substitute. He played last week and was terrific. It might be we need his experience coming on at certain points,” he said.
“I am still convinced that the best training any of the youngsters we’ve had in recent months, and the best education, is watching good professionals doing their stuff.”