Archer will not be fazed

JORDAN ARCHER has insisted Scotland can rely on him as European Under-21 Championship qualifying reaches its climax next month — even off the back of a season spent in the sixth tier of English football.

The Spurs goalkeeper, 19, could be promoted to No 1 in Billy Stark’s side for the Group 10 showdowns with Luxembourg and Austria because of injuries to Grant Adam and Mark Ridgers.

Archer, who spent last year on loan at Conference North outfit Bishop Stortford, deputised last Tuesday against Belgium after Ridgers suffered knee damage late in the first half of a 1-0 defeat.

With Brad Friedel and Carlo Cudicini in the White Hart Lane squad, his club game time could be limited this year, though he could be deployed in the new Professional Development League 1 — a revamped Under-21 reserve league for the top flight.

However, right now he’s in no doubt about his readiness for the step up to competitive Under-21 action for Scotland as Stark’s men seek to beat Holland to top spot in the section.

‘If I am playing European qualifiers for Scotland, I will be fine,’ he said. ‘I am a confident lad and I won’t be fazed by not having many minutes under my belt.

‘I feel I’m building up a good amount of experience for my age now. With Grant or Mark injured, if I was getting called up to start I would be more than happy. I’m still young but I feel I am ready to get my chance.

‘I’m still only 19, so I was actually hoping to figure in the next campaign. I always enjoy coming up here to train and be among the lads.

‘Jim Leighton is a great coach to have. I always learn when I get involved here and it was a great experience to get on against Belgium.’