Anger as no Scots picked

IN a week when the GB men’s and women’s hockey squads for the Olympics were announced and neither included Scottish players, one must ask the question — is it worthwhile?

The three Scots who were in the GB set-up, and all playing for English League clubs, were Emily Maguire, Alan Forsyth and Chris Grassick.

They were not included in the squads for the Champions Trophy events in London and that was an indication of the composition of the Olympic squads either as players or travelling reserves.

Alan Forsyth was the top scorer in the English First Division and was the Players’ Player of the Year.

Scotland’s U/18 men’s squad had three games against British Universities in Glasgow with the Scots winning 6-4, losing 4-3 and drawing 3-3.

Aiden McQuade (GroveMenzieshill/St Columba’s) netted four in the first game and two in the second.

The squad play i n t he European Championships in Barcelona from July 24-30. Both Aiden and Cameron Golden (Grove Menzieshill/ Loretto) should be i n the squad of 18 yet to be confirmed.

The Scottish U/21 Ladies had three games at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre against the Ulster U/23 squad. The visitors recorded three wins, the last by 2-0.

Scotland’s ladies were at Alicante in Spain for a fourgame series against their hosts. However, they failed to record a win, though coach Gordon Shepherd commented after the last game that the squad had gained valuable experience.

Not scoring enough goals is a problem to be solved. Scores were Spain wins by 3-0, 2-1, 3-0 and 2-1

Scotland’s U/21 men lost 3-2 and 4-2 to a Welsh Development Squad at Uddingston. Coach Graham Moodie noted there are five players in the senior squad which he can include for three international matches at Terrassa, near Barcelona, next month

This weekend, Scotland’s U/21 ladies are in action again.

They play England U/21s at the National Hockey Centre in Glasgow on Friday (2pm), Saturday (2pm) and Sunday (10am)

From July 24-30, Scotland is hosting the EuroHockey Youth Championships at Glasgow involving, in the U/18 Boys event, Scotland, France, Wales and Ukraine and, in the U/18 girls, Scotland Czech Republic, Italy and Austria.

From September 6-11, also in Glasgow, the Men’s World League games feature Scotland, Switzerland, Wales, Portugal and Slovakia.