Magennis earns Scotland call-up Gemmill’s squad beckons for talented midfielder
Kyle Magennis is in line to make his Scotland Under21s debut after being called up to Scot Gemmill’s latest squad.
The midfielder has been in sterling form for the Buddies since returning from medial ligament damage sustained in the pre-season friendly defeat to Dundee back in July, scoring his first goal of the season against Brechin City a fortnight ago.
The 19- year- old is already a regular on the international scene having previously featured for Scotland Under-20s at the prestigous Toulon Tournament. He has made the step up to the 21s, but has yet to get any game-time under his belt for Gemmill’s side.
Magennis will make the trip to Andorra la Vella for the clash with the hosts on Friday, March 23.
He is joined in the side by Buddies team-mates Liam Smith and Lewis Morgan, who have also made the cut.
Their call-ups however have cast fresh doubt over St Mirren’s clash with Falkirk on Saturday, March 24.
The recently arranged fixture – which was moved after Saints’ original tie with Dumbarton was switched after the Sons made the Irn-Bru Cup final – is now likely to be postponed again, with three key Saints players unable to feature.
The trio are joined in the squad by two other former Buddies, with Barnsley’s Stevie Mallan and Rangers striker Ryan Hardie also called up.
Oli McBurnie and Scott McKenna have been drafted into the senior setup, but Gemmill’s group has been boosted by the return to fitness of Celtic full-back Anthony Ralston.
There are first call-ups at this level for Chelsea winger Harvey St Clair, Dundee United goalkeeper Josh Donaldson and MK Dons frontman Robbie Muirhead.
Gemmill will be joined by his new assistant, the vastly experienced Peter Houston, after Peter Grant also linked up with Alex McLeish.
Ex-Dundee United and Falkirk manager Houston will act as Gemmill’s new right-hand man.
Scotland squad: Goalkeepers: Josh Donaldson (Dundee United), Ross Doohan (Celtic), Ryan Fulton (Hamilton Accies).
Defenders: Jason Kerr ( St Johnstone), Calvin Miller (Celtic), Anthony Ralston ( Celtic), Liam Smith ( Hearts/ St Mirren), Greg Taylor (Kilmarnock).
Midfielders : Iain Wilson (Kilmarnock), Liam Burt (Rangers/ Dumbarton), Allan Campbell ( Motherwell), Greg Docherty ( Rangers), Kyle Magennis ( St Mirren), Stephen Mallan (Barnsley), Lewis Morgan (Celtic/St Mirren), Harvey St Clair (Chelsea).
Strikers: Eamonn Brophy (Kilmarnock), Oliver Burke (West Bromwich Albion), Ryan Hardie ( Rangers/ Livingston), Robbie Muirhead (MK Dons), Scott Wright (Aberdeen).