SCOTS CALL-UP FOR KID KEEPER
Teenager Ross in squad for Euro qualifiers in France
St Johnstone goalkeeper and Scone local Ross Sinclair is hoping Scotland under-19s can shine on the European stage.
The former Perth Academy student has been called into the national squad, this time for planned elite round qualifiers in France later this month.
Billy Stark’s young Scots will be coming up against
France,
Russia and Georgia in Group 3 with games running from March 25 to 31. Sinclair (18), who has previous experience with the squad, said: “I didn’t expect it. There was a warm-up camp last month and I wasn’t selected.
“The priority for me was to get out on loan and play games. When this came about, it was a bonus for me and I’m ready to go now. “We showed what we could do in the last round, beating Germany. “We’re going to be up against hard opponents. But we beat Germany so we know what we are capable of.
“It is a big stage for us and I reckon we can give a good account of ourselves.
“Billy Stark is a great manager and will always speak to you, making sure you are comfortable. He will let you know what and what not to do.”
Sinclair’s competition between the posts comes from Norwich City stopper Archie Mair.
“Archie has just moved down to Norwich, which is a great move for him,” said Sinclair. “I’ve been away with him a couple of times now.
“There is always competiton between goalies. There is only one space but you are always good pals and don’t let anything get in the way of it.
“Whether you are playing or on the bench, you always have a good relationship and it’s about bouncing off of each other.
“There is so much talent in the group and it’s a great bunch of boys.
“We have been together for a while so we know what to expect and what we are there to do – that’s to get the job done.”
A recent loan move to Lowland League side Kelty Hearts has Sinclair determined to impress.
He has already played two games and both were against former loan club BSC Glasgow. He said: “I came
back from my loan at Brechin and I was frustrated. I didn’t get the games I wanted.
“I knew I had to try and get back out. The loan window was up but I came in on the Monday and was told something had been sorted.
“Kelty is a club I’ve been following because of the progress they have been making.
I’m buzzing to join Barry Ferguson and the coaching staff.
“It would be good to get a league title under my name but we’ve got to take it one game at a time.
“It’s about getting a run of games, getting the opportunity to do that. I’ve played two games in the space of a week and there is another on Saturday.
“They are there to help me and I’m there to help them.
Hopefully it can be a win-win for everyone.”
The full Scotland under-19 squad for the elite round qualifiers is as follows: Archie Mair (Norwich City), Ross Sinclair (St Johnstone), Nathan Patterson (Rangers), Harrison Ashby (West Ham), Chris Hamilton (Cowdenbeath), Conor McAvoy (Fulham), Jamie Hamilton (Hamilton Academical), James Maxwell (Rangers), Luke Robinson (Wigan Athletic), Liam McCarron (Leeds United), Dean Campbell (Aberdeen), Ciaran Dickson (Rangers), Jack Stretton (Derby County), Ethan Ross (Dunfermline Athletic), Jack Burroughs (Coventry City), Josh McPake (Rangers), Kai Kennedy (Rangers), Dapo Mebude (Rangers), Kyle Joseph (Wigan Athletic), Marc Leonard (Brighton and Hove Albion).