Kingsley relishes the battle for Scotland left-back role
STEPHEN KINGSLEY, the Swansea City defender, could be forgiven for cursing his own speciality as he surveys the embarrassment of riches Scotland possess at left-back.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed a landmark 2016, marking his Barclays Premier League debut in March with a 2-1 win over Arsenal and making his senior international bow against France in June.
More recently he has cemented his place in Francesco Guidolin’s side, starting every one of their league fixtures this term and turning in a series of composed displays, despite the Welsh outfit enduring some early travails.
In any other position on the pitch, regular top-flight football in England’s top flight would almost certainly herald a phone call from national manager Gordon Strachan. As a left-back, Kinglsey received one from Ricky Sbragia, the under-21s manager.
Battling with Andrew Robertson and Lee Wallace – with Kieran Tierney withdrawn and Graeme Shinnie still on the periphery – Kingsley faces an onerous task to catch the eye. However, he is far from bitter. Indeed, he sees Hull City’s Robertson as something of an inspiration.
“I don’t worry about that, it just makes me want to strive to get better and get in that squad,” said a determined Kingsley. “Having guys like Kieran Tierney and Robbo [Robertson], we will keep pushing ourselves.
“We are three young left-backs and as we get older we will keep challenging ourselves to get better and if I do that and can keep proving myself at Swansea, then hopefully that will take me there.
“Robbo made a name for himself in Scotland and then he went down south and had a brilliant season when they were in the Premier League the last time. I met him in the summer when I went away with the full squad and he is a great boy.
“I played against him a couple of weeks ago when we played Hull and to have someone like that who has been there and done it and done well in the Premier League is good for me to see.”
Speaking as he prepares for Friday night’s Euro 2017 qualifier against Macedonia at Tynecastle, Kingsley lists the superstars he has been charged with shackling in the past six months with a smile – and admits he feels like pinching himself.
Sergio Aguero, Riyad Mahrez and Dimitri Payet take top billing in the who’s who of Premier League royalty he has crossed swords with since making his Premier League debut.
However, Kinglsey has not forgotten his roots. And certainly has not forgotten his debut north of the border back in 2011, when he was thrown into action at Firhill by Steven Pressley as a schoolboy for Falkirk.
“It was Partick Thistle away,” he smiled. “I had just turned 16 and I remember Steven Pressley told me to go and get warmed up when there was about minute left of added time.
“The ball went out for a goal kick and I got ready. Ryan Flynn came off and I’ve run into the centre circle. Their keeper then kicked it... and the full-time whistle blew.
“I didn’t get a single kick but I couldn’t care to be honest. I was absolutely delighted.
“You couldn’t get the smile off my face!”