The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Southgate keeps accent on England’s youth
them every day but I have my locker, that’s the difference. When you were with the under-20s you always felt like a youth player but now I feel as if I am a proper first team player and feel part of it and hopefully I can get a few more games and see what happens.”
McCrorie is ready for another career landmark, England manager Gareth Southgate will continue putting faith in “the innocence of youth” as he prepares to face a Brazil side he rates as the best in the world.
Southgate has already handed 13 debuts in as many matches as Three Lions manager, leaning heavily on players he worked with in the Football Association’s development teams, and has summoned another three – Dominic Solanke, Lewis Cook and Angus Gunn, son of for- a first start for Scot Gemmill’s side in Perth tonight.
He said: “I have made a few appearances for the 21s off the bench but hopefully I can get my first start and we can build on that.”
Gemmill confirmed that Souttar returned to Hearts after suffering a head knock.
He said: “John is recovering well and back with his mer Aberdeen goalkeeper Bryan – to join the squad ahead of tonight’s friendly at Wembley.
Eric Dier, England’s fifth youngest post-war captain at 23, will retain the armband after a highly encouraging 0-0 draw against world champions Germany on Friday and Southgate is hoping to see another show of promise at Wembley.
“Young players bring enthusiasm, energy and they bring no cynicism.
“I think that’s healthy club under the observation of the doctor and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
The draw against Latvia left the Scots in third place in Group 4 with seven points from four games – a point behind Holland and six points off leaders England, both of whom have played a game more.
However, Gemmill remains relaxed about for everyone,” he said. “If you spoke to any of the staff or players this week, that has been the environment. The innocence of youth can be wonderful. In some instances it can be a real advantage, maybe in others it can be a disadvantage.
“We think it’s the right Scotland’s chances.
“The preparation will be exactly the same, wherever we are in the league table we need to find a way to beat Ukraine.”
Aberdeen’s Scott Wrght and Scott McKenna are likely to be in tonight’s starting line-up having played in Friday’s 1-1 draw against Latvia in Perth. qualification route to go, a path that can pay benefits for us as a country moving forward.
“Whether that’s next summer or beyond, whether that’s for me as a manager or other people, I think we’ve got to make decisions that are right for England.”
Brazil are officially ranked second in the world by Fifa, behind Germany, but Southgate sees his final game of 2017 as the toughest of all.
“We’re playing the best team in the world who have annihilated everyone in South American qualification, which is the hardest way to the finals,” he said.
“The players you’re talking about have individual technical qualities, speed and acceleration, that our individuals have to be able to cope with.
“We have to make sure that we’re savvy in the way we’re set up but, in the end, we have to be able to deal with those players on a one-on-one basis at times. That will be a challenge we haven’t faced up to now.”
“The young players bring enthusiasm”