Ashby out to match his old roomie Rice
SCOTLAND UNDER 21s starlet Harrison Ashby used to stay in digs with England star D e c l a n R i c e , n ow t he promising West Ham full- back is desperate to follow his teammate to the top.
The 18- year- old right- back has already made his debut for the London club this season and was praised by manager and countryman David Moyes after playing in the English League Cup against Charlton Athletic and Hull City.
Ashby is in San Marino with Scot Gemmill’s squad for tonight’s Euro qualifier in Group 4. The young Scots can put themselves in a terrific position if they gain the expected victory. If they win their two remaining games after that at home to Croatia and away to Greece, they will qualify for the Euros for the first time in 25 years.
And Ashby, whose father Ben made almost 300 appearances for Gillingham and qualifies for Scotland through his grandad, is offering serious competition to Ryan Fredericks – who turned down the chance to play for Scotland – for the Hammers.
He signed a bumper new contract in the summer and was almost immediately thrown into first- team action by Moyes.
And the player he looks up is midfielder Rice, who has become a key player for England after switching allegiances from Republic of Ireland last year and played in their 2- 1 win against Belgium on Sunday.
Ashby said: “I work with Declan Rice closely. I was actually in digs with him when I was 14, so to see him doing so well both in domestic and international football is really pleasing.
“That encourages me and lets me think I have got a chance if I follow his example.
“He was a year older than me in the age groups when we were at the academy. I saw him go from a centre- back who wasn’t really going anywhere to a massive star in midfield for England and he has now made over 100 appearances for West Ham.
“So absolutely I look up to him and if I needed to motivate
myself I just need to look at how well it’s gone for him. Certainly, I look at him as a big example.
“After we came back in from lockdown, everything has just worked out for me. The new contract wasn’t a surprise because I knew it was happening before the end of last season.
“But my shock.
“Some of the boys had a Covid test the day before and the results came back an hour before the game so the gaffer said he wanted to put a couple of young boys in the team because we were missing a defender and a midfielder. And he put me in at right back.
“It was a shock because I only had 40 minutes to prepare myself, but that was probably a blessing because I didn’t have time to overthink things.
“I played well, so it was a good two weeks for me, signing a new contract and making my West Ham debut.
“Normally, I would be telling my dad, but I obviously didn’t have time. So I had about 50 missed calls from him asking me why I didn’t tell him!
“It’s nice because that’s what I have been working for since I was a young boy. Playing Sunday league and working hard every day. I’ve been at West Ham since I was ten.
“I’ve just happy I have taken my first small steps in football.
“David Moyes is a great coach – he puts a lot a trust in young boys like me and Jamal Baptiste, who is only 16. He boosts your confidence and makes you 10 times better as a player.” debut was a real