United youth player gets U16s call-up

A YOUNG Dundee United player, who is on Manchester United’s radar, has received his f irst Victory Shield call-up for Scotland.

Defender Kieran Freeman is a pupil at the St John’s High School football academy and a youth player at Tannadice.

National team coach Scot Gemmill has named an 18-player squad for Scotland’s opening match of the 2014 Sky Sports Victory Shield against Northern Ireland next week, and Freeman is in it.

It will be a step up for the versatile player, as just last month he was still playing for the Scotland under-15s.

The Victory Shield, which Scotland won last year, is for under-16s and is televised live on Sky Sports.

Freeman, who comes from Aberdeen, is a regular visitor to Manchester United’s Carrington training ground, and is being given the sort of treatment Darren Fletcher got when he was making a name for himself as a teenager.

He has travelled south on several occasions during school holidays to train with their academy youngsters, and has impressed their coaching staff.

On one visit, Freeman was watched by United legend David Beckham, whose son Brooklyn was also playing.

Freeman will not be able to sign a professional contract with any club until he turns 16.

Scotland play Northern Ireland on Friday October 31 at St Mirren Park.

The full squad is — Goalkeepers — Aidan McAdams (Celtic), Cameron Yates (Leicester City). Defenders — Daniel Baur (Heart of Midlothian), Tony Gallacher (Falkirk), Dan Meredith (West Bromwich Albion), Kieran Freeman (Dundee United), Aidan Wilson (Rangers), Lewis Bell (Celtic). Midf ielders — Liam Burt (Rangers), Daniel McAllister (Celtic), Lee Connelly (Queens Park), Connor McLennan (Aberdeen), Kristi Marku ( Celtic). Forwards — Jack Adamson (Hibernian), Owen Gallacher (Newcastle United), Glenn Middleton ( Norwich), Jack Aitchison ( Celtic), Fraser Preston (Sheffield Wednesday).

SNS Group. Kieran Freeman has already represented Scotland at U15 level.