IT’S TIME TO SHINE

McAllister and Magennis are ready for San Marino

St Mirren fans will be hoping Scotland’s Under-21 side Kyle on the pressure against San Marino tonight.

Buddies due McAllister and Magennis are in contention to start for Scot Gemmill’s young Scots squad at Paisley’s Simple Digital Arena.

The wingers are desperate to get stuck into the minnows in front of their home support and get the country’s UEFA U-21 Championship qualifying campaign off to a flier.

The pair then jet off to face Croatia on Tuesday in another group D tie.

McAllister told the Express: “I’m looking forward to it. “Kyle and I got call-ups and we are both excited to get away. Hopefully I can do my best.

“The match being in Paisley will be good for us. I hope there will be some St Mirren fans there cheering us on. The St Mirren fans are a great support – I’d expect many of them to come along and watch – as that’s the kind of fans they are.”

The youngster, who rejoined the Buddies permanently in the summer from Derby County, added: “Hopefully we can get a good result for the first game.

“I’ve not been to Croatia before. It’s one of the few places I’ve not been to be honest, so I’m excited to go there and play against a country whose senior side obviously played in the last World Cup final.”

His manager Jim Goodwin is proud of the young duo and is excited to hopefully see them in action tonight.

The Buddies gaffer said: “It’s really well deserved.

“Kyle Magennis got a fantastic goal at the weekend and we know what Kyle McAllister is capable of. So Scotland are lucky to have two good young prospects like that and we are also very lucky to have them here at the club.

“It’s great recognition for their good efforts up to now. The hard work they have been doing is paying off.”

Tonight’s match kicks-off at 7.30pm while Tuesday’s match in Šibenik, has a 7pm start.

San Marino have already played twice in group D – losing to Lithuania and Greece.