MOCHRIE IS ‘BOOSTED’ BY SCOTLAND U-21 CALL-UP

Chris Mochrie has earned a late call-up to the Scotland under-21 squad after making his full Scottish Premiership debut with Dundee United.

Mochrie has been drafted into Scot Gemmill’s squad for the trip to Turkey this week after making the breakthrough at United.

The midfielder became the youngestever player to play in the United first team when he came on as a sub against Morton in May 2019, aged 16 years and 27 days.

He has become a regular in United’s firstteam squad since the start of the season.

And Mochrie made his first start in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Hearts.

That came just hours after he learned of his international call-up.

United boss Thomas Courts has predicted a bright future for the playmaker.

“I thought Chris played exceptionally well,” said Courts.

“He got a boost by getting called into the Scotland under-21 squad earlier so it was a big occasion for him.

“The young players who get opportunities here will find it difficult to disappoint me.”

Meanwhile, Courts labelled Hearts keeper Craig Gordon as ‘world class’.

The Scotland star denied United with two stunning second-half saves.

Gordon blocked a net-bound Ryan Edwards header and a curling free-kick from his former Celtic team-mate Charlie Mulgrew.

Hearts, who had taken an earlier lead through Liam Boyce, then secured the win with a late clincher from Armand Gnanduillet.

“We were on the ascendancy in the second half and it was wave-after-wave of attacks,” said Courts.

“The unfortunate thing for us is they have a world-class goalkeeper who made two worldclass saves.”