Bravehearts in Serbia

Stuart Morrison and Callum Smith tell their story of travels with Scotland U19s.

On Tuesday Stuart Morrison and Callum Smith returned from their international trip to Serbia and they both spoke to the website about their experiences.

Stuart was drafted in on Saturday night when he received a phone call from John Potter passing on news of his international call up. Donald Park had requested the 18 year old who had previously enjoyed being part of Scot Gemmell`s squad in Greece this time last year.

The Inverkeithing High School former pupil said:-

"I played one and a half games out of the three. I played the first half of the first game at centre back, then I got moved to right back for the second half and I played right back again in the second game.

"It wasn`t too much of a difference for me because I have played there a couple of times before a few years ago. I enjoyed it and thought that I did well for it not being my natural position."

Stuart was able to compare the new Scotland coach to the previous one:-

"There wasn`t much difference but I really enjoyed Donald, he is a really good coach. He is a really good guy and would speak to you on and off the pitch and give you pointers here and there and make you feel welcome on the trip.

"Darren Jackson, the Assistant Coach was the same, he was really good as well. I felt that I played better than I did when I went away with them last year. I enjoyed the experience and hopefully I will get called up again for the next games."

Callum Smith made his international debut and he claimed that playing for your country is "just the best feeling ever".

"Especially when you score goals as well, it is a brand new feeling. I didn`t start the first game but when I got the chance the second game I knew that I had to take my chance. I feel that I did that.

"I scored two goals and got 90 minutes. In the third game I played half a game and really enjoyed the trip, it was a great experience for me."

Callum described the opposition that Scotland U19s faced:-

"Serbia were a good team but they were really aggressive. Ukraine were basically the same and they played a lot different football from what we do here."

The third opponents in the group were Montenegro and another four teams made up the other group. Callum confessed that Scotland finished fourth in the group and continued:-

"The pitches we were playing on weren`t the best and we had to deal with that. I thought we dealt with it well and kept playing football all the time."

The Pars players were room mates in Serbia but did know several other players in the squad. Callum contrasted how different things now were for him:-

"Three years ago I was just playing boys club with my pals, then I got signed by Dunfermline and now I am playing for Scotland. It all came about so quick it is mental."

Callum`s younger brother has been selected again in the Scotland U16 squad to play Poland next week.

Stuart Morrison has been at Dunfermline even longer, since the age of eight! He appreciates his coaches who have brought him through the youth system at the club:-

"I had Robert Gow and Robert O`Neil at Under 17 and Peter Main and Johnny Allison at Under 15. When you started seeing John Potter about you start thinking `that`s the Under 20s coach, I want to get there`.

"I think the pathway through the youths has been brilliant and it shows you what`s possible if you put the work in."

Both Stuart and Callum were quickly elevated to the Under 20s and they clearly benefited from playing against older players in the Development League. Callum continued:-

"Playing against older boys boosts you and makes you stronger on the pitch. It makes you more composed when you are playing against older boys. Playing against younger boys it is easier, so challenging yourself is always going to improve you."

Both players are currently playing first team football, Stuart while on loan at Edinburgh City and Callum of course at Dunfermline. Callum described it as a massive step:-

"I think that I have coped with it well to be fair. Hopefully I can keep it up because I don`t want to drop out the team just because I am younger. Even though I am seventeen I want to challenge for a striker`s place. I feel that I have done that so far and I want to try and keep that up."

Callum is well aware of those he is competition with - Declan McManus, Nicky Clark, Andy Ryan and David Hopkirk - and feels that it is his manager who has the difficulty with team selection. He added:-

"He has a lot of options now, I just hope that it is me he picks!"

Stuart has enjoyed getting first team football in League Two.

"The main thing for me is to play first team football because I have played at under 20 level for three years now. The next step in my development is to play football against grown men.

"I need to develop the side of the game playing against older and stronger players who are clever as well. They are not the sharpest but they know how to play the game at that level. There are a still a few good decent strikers in that league so it will be a good test for me."

These opponents are ideal for Stuart who was only 15 when he made his Under 20s debut and went on to play approaching 50 games at that level. He added:-

"I feel that in the first three or four games I have done well. The results have not been great at Edinburgh City but hopefully once we get a win it will kick start our season. At least at Edinburgh City I am playing against experienced strikers every week and that can only improve my game."

Both players have their eyes on the next U19 squad for the home match against France. Stuart fears the number of players challenging for his position:-

"My problem is that all the defenders are centre halves. There were no full backs so I had to play out of position. Hopefully I have done enough in both positions to show that I am good enough to be in the next squad."

Callum added:-

"I am hoping to be in the next squad as well. I felt I did well when I did play. If I can get in the next squad it will be another great achievement for me."

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