Thekeybattlesforour boysintoday’s semi
JASON KERR V TAMMY ABRAHAM THE young St Johnstone centre-back will face the toughest test of his career so far against the Chelsea striker who is reportedly on a £50,000-a-week contract at Stamford Bridge.
Kerr hasn’t fully broken into the McDiarmid Park first team yet but Scot Gemmill has faith in him and he has performed well in the tournament so far alongside Ryan Porteous of Hibs.
He’s a no-nonsense defender who was at his best when the Scots’ backs were against the wall in the win over France last week.
Abraham will cause him no end of problems though with his pace, power and height. BILLY GILMOUR V LEWIS COOK THIS should be a fascinating clash between two hot prospects in midfield.
Scotland’s mercurial 16-year-old going up against a Premier League regular and full England international.
Cook performed superbly for Bournemouth last term and was part of the England Under-20s team who won the World Cup.
He’ll sit in Aidy Bothroyd’s engine room and attempt to dictate the play. Everything will go through him as anchor man.
But that’s where Chelsea starlet Gilmour has to cause him a problem and disrupt his influence. FRASER HORNBY V DAEL FRY EVERTON’S centre-forward is like Scottish strikers of old in that he loves an aerial battle and relishes a physical challenge.
Hornby will certainly get that tonight up against towering Middlesbrough defender Fry who has come through all the youth levels with England.
He was the subject of Steven Gerrard’s individual assessment in their game against Qatar last week, as part of the new Rangers boss’ UEFA Pro Licence.
Fry was dominant in that match but he’ll face a tougher test against Hornby who, even at just 18, won’t be bullied by the England man.