Young Scots striker dreaming of his big chance at the Euros

TOMMY Conway’s taste of the big time this year has left the Scotland Under-21s forward desperate for more.

The 21-year-old scored a dramatic equaliser in Bristol City’s FA Cup thirdround tie at West Ham in January – then scored the only goal of the replay to send the Premier League club out of the competition.

Conway joined up with Scot Gemmill’s side ahead of tomorrow’s important clash with Kazakhstan in Paisley in confident mood, with the young Scots in second place behind Spain in Group B at the midway point in the Euro 2025 qualifying campaign.

Looking back at his experience against the Hammers, he said: “It was really good exposure for myself and I just want to be playing against those sorts of players as much as I can.

“It was the first time I’ve ever played against Premier League opposition in my career, so obviously to score in both games was a good thing.

“I didn’t really look too much into the outside noise – I just try and focus on the next game.

“Whatever people think about those goals, they can think, but I was just focused on the next game and doing what I can do.

“I support Arsenal and I went to West Ham vs Arsenal last year and was looking at the pitch and lovely stadium, and then obviously a year later I was playing and managed to score, so it was it was surreal.

“The reaction was a bit hyped up but I wasn’t really looking too much into that.

“But Bristol City playing against West Ham, in front of a sell-out crowd and taking 9,000 fans to the Olympic Stadium, it’s big moments.

“Scotland going into the Euros is another big moment and to play in those sorts of matches is what you dream of, and having an impact like I did, by scoring, it just makes you want to keep doing it over and over again. So hopefully I can do that.”

Conway is certainly well known to Steve Clarke after he and another two of Gemmill’s squad – Leon King and Lewis Fiorini – were invited to a senior training camp last summer.

The Robins attacker is ready to make the step up to the senior squad if called upon.

He said: “As a footballer, you want to play at every level possible. So I want to play as high as I can in the UK and I want to play in the Scotland first team, ultimately.

“I don’t see why it’s not (realistic to make Euro 2024), but I do understand that Steve Clarke has a very settled squad, which I respect highly and I just have to be patient and keep doing what I’m doing at club level and, in the end, I hope that earns me a call-up.

“I really enjoyed the camp. Steve Clarke said he was really impressed and told me ‘Keep doing what you’re doing at club level and at under-21s and hopefully I’ll see you soon.’

“It was a good experience for me, especially training with those sorts of players as well. It just makes you want to be at that level all the time and keeps you striving to be there.”

Tommy Conway has trained with Scotland’s senior team.