The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Azteca captaincy thrills McKenna
Wearing armband ‘an absolute honour’ for Aberdeen defender
A pair of Courier Country players played prominent parts in the weekend action as Scotland continued to prepare for the future.
Kirriemuir’s Scott McKenna captained a makeshift and inexperienced Scotland side as they lost 1-0 to World Cup-bound Mexico in the early hours of yesterday morning after Fifer Oliver Burke had scored a stunning goal at the Toulon tournament to help the under-21 side into the semi-finals with a 2-1 win over South Korea.
Alex McLeish handed the armband to 21-year-old Aberdeen defender McKenna on his fourth appearance as Scotland completed their two-match tour of the Americas.
McKenna said: “Coming away I didn’t think things could really get any better but to captain my country in Mexico at the Azteca, it doesn’t really get much better.
“Especially as I’ve not got that many caps myself, for the manager to put that trust and faith in me is something I’ll really take confidence from.
“Any time I play for Scotland I’m delighted but to lead the team out in such a big arena, with so many fans, it was an absolute honour for me.”
In France, Kirkcaldy-born Burke produced a great 50-yard run and finish as the Scots won their group to set up a semi-final meeting with England on Wednesday.
testing the keeper with a sharp free-kick.
Those at Spurs have long been aware of Trippier’s crossing skills and cornertaking prowess and they could yet be important in the World Cup bid.
“His quality on the ball is outstanding,” said Southgate.
“There were two set-plays, the one just before the goal – a free-kick bang on the money – then the corner for Gary.
“It was a great delivery. But we also know his quality on the ball when he’s in the final third.”
Captain Harry Kane doubled the hosts’ advantage before the break, his sixth goal in five appearances with the armband.
But what might have turned into a walk in the park against a side ranked 47th in the world became a tense 2-1 victory as Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi struck less than two minutes after the break.
Midfielder Dele Alli, meanwhile, insists he has no concerns about losing his cool at the World Cup.
The Tottenham playmaker has become a target as opposition players attempt to take advantage of his fiery streak.
But Alli, who claims he has never seen footage of David Beckham’s red card against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup, expects his football to do the talking in Russia.
“I am a big believer that you have to make mistakes to learn from them,” the 22-year-old was quoted as saying by various newspapers.
“And, yeah, I feel I learned from the things I’ve done before, but it’s not something I worry about at all.
“I haven’t seen the incident with Beckham but, you know, I feel I’ve got everything under control.
“That (opponents winding him up in Russia) is not going to be a problem,” he added.
“Obviously, I’ve done some things before and people seem to think that will be a problem, but it’s not.”