Scotland U21 call up for Ryan
Tuesday, 26th Sep 2017Ryan Williamson named in the 23-player international squad.
Scot Gemmill has named his squad for Scotland’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification double-header against England and Latvia next month.
Ross Doohan, Greg Docherty, Allan Campbell and Pars full back Ryan Williamson are all fresh inclusions in the 23-player squad.
UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifiers
England v Scotland
Friday, 6 October 2017, kick-off 7.45pm
Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
Latvia v Scotland
Tuesday, 10 October 2017, kick-off 4pm
Stadions Daugava, Liepaja, Latvia
Scotland will be hoping to build on their impressive opening group victory over the Netherlands last month when strikes from Oliver Burke and Stephen Mallan defeated the Dutch 2-0.
Both are included in the squad again as well as Ross McCrorie who made his debut for Rangers last week and started against Celtic at the weekend.
England have played two games in the group already, drawing against the Netherlands and defeating Latvia 3-0.
Also in Scotland’s group are Ukraine and Andorra.
Team mate at Dunfermline, defender Lee Ashcroft endorsed Ryan Williamson`s selection and said that his form merited international recognition.
"When you play and train with him week in week out it is a bit of a weird one how he wasn`t included before. I know for a fact he would do well for them. When you see him going forward there are not many folk who can stop him when he gets going.
"He has a good few assists this year with crosses into the box. If he keeps doing that there is no reason he cannot go on to bigger and better things."
Lee added that the Pars defence has managed to work out how to cope with the 20 year old`s trademark marauding runs up the wing:-
"At the start of last season we were very open and losing a lot more goals. But we have found a way of covering for him when he is away. He has been brilliant, winning headers and defending well. He has worked hard over pre season and added the defensive side to his game a lot better.
"I have never really played with anybody like him. When I played against him at a young level I never really thought much of him. I did not think that he would be quick but once he gets those big legs going there are not many folk who can keep up with him.
"Hopefully he can do for Scotland what he keeps doing for us and set up a lot more goals."
Scotland Under-21 squad
Goalkeepers
Ryan Fulton (Hamilton Academical)
Ross Doohan (Celtic) ****
Jack Ruddy (Wolverhampton Wanderers) *
Defenders
Jason Kerr (St Johnstone) **
Ross McCrorie (Rangers)
Scott McKenna (Aberdeen)
Calvin Miller (Celtic)
Liam Smith (Heart of Midlothian) ***
John Souttar (Heart of Midlothian)
Greg Taylor (Kilmarnock)
Ryan Williamson (Dunfermline)
Midfielders
Theo Archibald (Brentford)
Chris Cadden (Motherwell)
Allan Campbell (Motherwell)
Greg Docherty (Hamilton Academical)
Michael Johnston (Celtic)
Stephen Mallan (Barnsley)
Lewis Morgan (St Mirren)
Dominic Thomas (Kilmarnock)
Forwards
Oliver Burke (West Bromwich Albion)
Ryan Hardie (Rangers)
Oliver McBurnie (Swansea City)
Scott Wright (Aberdeen)
* on loan to Oldham Athletic
** on loan to Queen of the South
*** on loan to St Mirren
**** on loan to Greenock Morton
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