Under-21s
PATRICK Reading is aiming to become the next top left back to come through the conveyor belt of Scottish talent after being mentored by former Real Madrid and England defender Jonathan Woodgate, writes Mark Walker.
The young Scots are in
Sibenik on the Dalmatian coast to face Croatia tomorrow in their second Euro 2021 qualifier, after their comfortable 2-0 win against San Marino last week.
That win came in Reading’s first start for Scot Gemmill’s side and the Middlesbrough full back looked a real prospect who has been helped along by former youth coach Woodgate, now first team manager at the Riverside.
Reading said: “He was Under 18s coach first so he knows us well. When he was doing his coaching badges he took us a lot. He knows what it’s like coming through the ranks and playing as a young player.
“He gives us all the best chance we can get. He just really wants me to get on loan to really get that experience and push on to make the first team. I’m hoping the opportunities will come so I can really give it a good go.
“I’ve had two seasons with the Middlesbrough Under-23s and feel I’ve progressed quite well. Now it’s a case of trying to get out and get some first team football to take that further step.”
Scotland face a completely different challenge on Tuesday against a young Croatian side crammed with talent who reached the summer’s European Championships and are from the top seeds group.
But Reading, who qualifies to play for Scotland through his mum Sharon and is a passionate Hibs fan, is looking forward to facing a significant step up in class from the San Marino side they faced last week.
He said: “Tuesday is going to be a completely different challenge than from the San Marino match. Hopefully, the performance against them will put in the manager’s mind he will want to start me.
“People might look and say that we only won 2-0 against San Marino and Croatia will be a good side clearly. But the game will be completely different. They’ll be a lot more attacking and we’ll have chance to hit them on the break. On Thursday we had so much of the ball we ended up getting frustrated in front of goal. For me, Starting a competitive game is a chance to show what I can do at this stage.
“I’m from Newcastle, but my mum’s side of the family are all from East Lothian. I’ve been brought up playing football from their side. It’s just a two-hour drive away and I try to get up as much as possible. I’ve always felt Scottish; I’ve been brought up a Hibs fan from my mum’s side and they’re very passionate.”