The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Par Williamson out to claim Scotland place
Dunfermline starlet Ryan Williamson is determined to bolster his international aspirations with Scotland’s under-21 side – after excelling in front of senior team boss Alex McLeish.
The 22-year-old has been rewarded for a blistering start to the Pars’ campaign with a call-up to Scot Gemmill’s squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers against Andorra and the Netherlands.
Williamson, who was on the radar of Premiership side Hibs earlier this summer, is seeking to add to his three caps at that level.
His nod comes immediately following Dunfermline’s 1-0 defeat against Hearts in Saturday’s Betfred Cup clash, which was nonetheless dominated in large periods by the Fifers. Williamson was one of the men in black and white who impressed as McLeish watched on.
“It is good that my performances have been rewarded,” said Williamson.
“The Scotland first-team manager was at the game on Saturday as well so I’d like to think I did quite well in that.
“I think I have started the season well, especially with three assists in my first three games, I just have to keep on doing as well as I can for Dunfermline.
“I really enjoyed the last couple of times I have been away with Scotland, I have been keen to impress and do well and it looks like I have done that. Hopefully I will get the chance to get another couple of caps.
“They are a good group of boys. I know that from before and there are a few new faces but it will be good to get away, to try as best I can to impress.”
With Dunfermline notching 20 goals in their opening eight matches in all competitions, Williamson is thriving as part of a creative Pars side – and reckons hard work is finally paying off after turning his attention to improving his deliveries.
“I have known that has been an aspect of my game that I have needed to work on,” he added. “Through pre-season and after training I have been doing as much with assistant manager Sandy Clark and the strikers as I can to put deliveries into the box.
“I am picking people out in good areas and it is paying off. I need to keep doing that, keep working on all aspects to make me a good all-round player.”