BEN RAMAGE
St Mirren midfielder Ryan Flynn believes the Tartan Army are in for a treat as his former teammate Che Adams gears up to make his Scotland debut tonight.
Ex-Buddie Steve Clarke’s men take on Austria in a huge opening World Cup qualifying clash at an empty Hampden Park.
Flynn, who played alongside Southampton striker Adams when the then teenager made his breakthrough at Sheffield United, says Scotland fans are in for a pleasant surprise should the 24-year-old make his international bow tonight.
And that’s because Saints fans’ favourite Flynn witnessed his goal- scoring exploits first- hand, highlighting a clinical brace in a League Cup semi- final loss to Tottenham in January 2015 that told him Adams was destined for the top of the game.
Flynn explained: “Che really made his mark that night and I’m not surprised in the slightest to see him doing it in the Premier League now.
“We ran Spurs so close in that semifinal. They had Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier at the back but Che took his two goals really well after coming off the bench.
“I was playing right- back and managed to get a cross to the far post and he took it first time from a really tight angle.
“He’d only just come off the bench but within ten minutes he’d scored a double to make it 2-2 on aggregate.
“Unfortunately Spurs scored right at the end of 90 minutes to go through to the final against Chelsea and it was just crushing disappointment in the dressing room afterwards.
“But for Che it was his big breakthrough. It’s scary to think he was only 18 back then. It was clear he was heading to the top.
“We were actually crying out for him to get more game-time that season under Nigel Clough.
“There was another game at the end of that season, a play-off semi-final against Swindon, where he came on and scored a last-minute equaliser in an incredible 5-5 draw.
“He only got the last 15 minutes but he was different class, despite only being 18 and it being a high-pressure match. He just oozed class and showed what a good footballer he is.
“It’s no surprise at all that Che has gone on to play in the Premier League and I’m delighted he’s chosen to play for Scotland. It’s really exciting for the Tartan Army.”
Having initially turned down Scotland’s advances when former boss
Alex ex McLeish tried to persuade pe ersuade Adams ams to switch alle allegience egience more ore than two years ago ago, o, some sections ctions of the Tartan Army Arm my have questioned estioned why the England En gland Under- der- 20 internationa international al has decided cided to jump ship now. now w.
Flynn is adamant the clinical cl inical striker iker simply sees Scot Scotland tland as the best way to reach h the international ernational stage, withw with Clarke’s arke’s side also gearing gea aring up for their first Europ European ean Championship ampionship appearance appeara ance this s summer since 1996.
He added: “Che’s strong, stro ong, quick ick and a really go good ood finisher isher with both feet. He likes es to take it early, almo almost ost like e a snap-shot, so quick qui ick with th very little back lift.
“I noticed it straight away awa ay and d that’s the differenc difference ce with h players at the very top top. p.
“We had no idea ide ea back ck then he qualifi qualified ed for Scotland. If we did dI I can n assure you myse myself, lf, Kevin vin McDonald and a nd Jamie mie Murphy would have haveh constantly nstantly been in his hish ear. r.
“Every footballer wants nts to play at the highest ghest level.”