Pars youngster thrilled to be called up to Scotland squad

Callum Smith admits he is pinching himself after winning a first Scotland call-up just two years after slogging it out in boys’ club football in Cowdenbeath.

The 17-year-old has made a massive impression after making his top-team breakthrough at Dunfermline in recent weeks.

The striker has scored twice in seven outings this season and has been rewarded with inclusion in Donald Park’s first squad as under-19s coach for a tournament in Serbia in a fortnight’s time.

Smith said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the call-up, it’s brilliant.

“It’s a shock for me because two years ago I was just playing boys’ club football with the Blue Brazil Boys’ Club in Cowdenbeath, and now I’m playing full-time football and just got into the Scotland under-19s squad.

“I’ve never been involved with any Scotland squads before, so it’s a brilliant achievement for me and I’m really proud of myself.”

Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston is convinced Smith has a bright future ahead and hopes the teenager’s call-up is proof the Pars can be the perfect club for the nation’s best young talent.

He said: “If he keeps playing the way he’s been playing I don’t think it will be long until he’s in the under-21s squad, never mind the 19s.

“If you’re good enough you’ll be involved.

“That’s always been the message at Dunfermline.

“At that age it’s important to play first-team football, that’s how you progress.

“That’s why at some of the bigger clubs some of the players maybe go a wee bit stale, because they don’t play first-team football and they go backwards a wee bit.

“Whereas our boys are progressing really well and trying to get involved with the first-team at a really young age.”