The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Time to give youth a chance
Under-21s: Sbragia certain more of his charges will make it to senior side
Scotland under-21 manager Ricky Sbragia has told his young players that while they may not be involved to kick off the nation’s World Cup bid, they can play a part on the road to Russia 2018.
Gordon Strachan named a largely familiar squad for the senior side’s opening qualifier away to Malta next month.
But there were places for Hearts goalkeeper Jack Hamilton and Tynecastle team-mate Callum Paterson, Celtic left back Kieran Tierney, Hibernian midfielder John McGinn and Rangers midfielder Barrie McKay following their recent promotions from Sbragia’s squad.
Sbragia believes the next generation will soon be given their chance and said: “You can never knock experience and, at A-team level, you probably need it. But the introduction of young players is refreshing and the fact they are playing first-team football is important. Jack has gone into the Hearts team and done extremely well. He deserves to go up to the full squad.
“Kieran has been absolutely fantastic for Celtic and he too deserves his place. Likewise with Callum
“It’s great these players are going in, credit to Gordon for doing that”
and Barrie. They are now keeping their places in the full squad.
“It’s great these players are going in, credit to Gordon for doing that. I’d have no gripe if Gordon took them all.
“There will be other players trying to do the same. Players such as John Souttar will be thinking his time will come – and it will. The under-21s is about developing players and there is an abundance of players who can make the step up – it’s just about when they do it.”
Sbragia’s focus is picking up two wins against Macedonia and Ukraine in next month’s European championship qualifiers.
The young Scots’ hopes of reaching next year’s finals in Poland are already virtually over just six games into the 10-match qualifying phase, but Sbragia wants to use the games to continue pushing his players on.
He hopes to see a rejuvenated Ryan Gauld after the Sporting Lisbon youngster was allowed to join Portuguese top-flight outfit Vitoria Setubal on loan and he has promised former Rangers player Lewis Macleod playing time after the 22-year-old finally returned to fitness at Brentford.
“Lewis has had a really poor year to 18 months with injuries,” said Sbragia. “I’ve kept in touch with him and he’s had some really low parts where he’s got himself fit but then injured something else.
“It’s fantastic to have him back. The reports I’ve had have been very good and he’s comfortable with what he’s doing.
“It was only about 18 months ago that he was called up to the A squad and he’s desperate to get back involved with the under-21s now.
“He’s missed a lot of football but it can actually make him stronger mentally. It was a testing time but he’s come through it now and is back playing, which is a massive bonus for me.”
Another who could
“An abundance of players who can make the step up – it’s just about when”
squeeze himself into Sbragia’s midfield is Dundee’s summer signing Mark O’Hara.
He earned his one and only under-21 cap during his days as a defender with Kilmarnock, but Sbragia has been encouraged by his transformation under Dee manager Paul Hartley.
Sbragia explained: “I spoke to Paul yesterday and he told me he’s playing in the centre of midfield now.
“It’s been a great move for him. The change itself has refreshed Mark.
“Paul spoke highly of him and the reports I’ve had back on him after having him watched two or three times is that he’s a changed player.
“Mark is a lovely lad who wants to play. I don’t think he has a problem with where he plays.
“Sometimes changing position can be a gamble, but it’s worked. He’s scored two goals so far and Paul has done well to identify that.”
Aberdeen midfielder Craig Storie has been included, along with former Don Ryan Fraser, who made his Premier League debut with Bournemouth on Sunday, while Caley Thistle’s loan signing from Hearts Billy King is also in the squad..