KID GLOVES
moved out to Leipzig in the last few months as well, which has made a difference.”
Burke led Scotland to victory over Brazil in France earlier this summer – the first competitive win by a Scottish team of any age group against these particular opponents. This was en route to the semi-finals of a competition Scotland had been absent from for 20 years.
Meanwhile, a first-ever win over Spain for the Scottish women’s side in the recent European Championships in the Netherlands saw Scotland fall just a goal short of qualifying for the last eight.
Mackay stressed there is much to be positive about.
Fifteen out of the 20 players in the current Scotland Under 17 squad are from the performance school and further cheer has arrived in the shape of a three-year sponsorship deal with JD Sports, who have become title sponsors of the school programme, with another 48 pupils inducted yesterday.
But while the fun they would have was underlined to them – as Hearts player and graduate Harry Cochrane said, “it doesn’t feel like school at all” –
MALKY MACKAY they were also reminded that only hard work would give them a chance to excel.
Mackay asked them to reflect upon Ronaldo from the previous evening’s El Clasico. Ignore the red card he later received, he said – “that wasn’t such a good example” – but note the physique the player unveiled when tearing off his shirt en route to his first booking, and after putting Real Madrid ahead against Barcelona in their Spanish Super Cup encounter.
Now that the technical side of the game is being addressed, Mackay wants to improve physical conditioning. While he realises he can’t make them taller, Mackay and his staff can help players make the best of themselves.
Even now, he says, 16-year-olds from places like Hungary and Iceland still look physically superior to Scots.
Mackay has recruited the services of five universities to supplement the SFA’S knowledge of nutrition.
“We’re not going to be able to put players on a rack and stretch them, but we can make them physically stronger, make them quicker,” he said. “That’s why I’m asking universities to come in and help along with our sports science department.
“All these wee boys are getting drip fed information about what they should eat. Eventually, in a few years, it will become natural.”
“Karamoko is a young 14-year-old boy. I’m not going to start asking him questions about what he feels. His father is from the Ivory Coast, he’s worked and lived in both Scotland and England. Whatdoanyofusfeel at that point?”