Young Scots eye Victory Shield glory in capital

Published on Wednesday 25 November 2009 22:44

TWO of Scotland's brightest prospects go gunning for England tonight at Tynecastle as Scotland's under-16 side look to end eight years of southern dominance in the Sky Sports Victory Shield.

Both sides have seen off Northern Ireland and Wales to set up the decider in Edinburgh and for Aberdeen's Jack Grimmer and Kilmarnock's Matthew Kennedy kick-off cannot come quick enough.

Skipper Grimmer, who signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Dons last weekend, said: "It is a massive game and one I am looking forward to as we will have a good crowd behind us as all the boys have friends, family and schoolmates coming to support them.

"England are usually strong favourites for this tournament but this time we can hopefully show them that we are in it to win it."

The English squad of 18 players has nine youngsters coming from the Academies of Premiership Clubs, but Grimmer, 15, is not overawed by their reputation. "Having watched England I know they are a good, strong, fast side but we have the likes of Islam Feruz, who scored the winner against Wales, and other players who will cause them problems," he said.

One player who could unsettle the English rearguard is Kennedy, who came off the bench in Scotland's first game in the tournament this season to score twice in Northern Ireland. Kennedy said: "I took my chances against Northern Ireland and would love to do the same against England. This is the biggest game of my life and it would be unbelievable to start against them. They are a big, strong side but I am sure we can beat them."

Scotland head coach Ross Mathie said: "England have used 26 players in their two games so far, so we have no idea what their starting XI will be as they have just so many players to pick from," he said. "We have a smaller squad but we have some right good players in it."

Mathie will be able to call on 14-year-old Somalia-born Feruz to help beat the Auld Enemy, although he is not the only player the coach reckons will have caught the eyes of the English. He said: "Islam has had a lot of publicity but things have settled down for him now and I am sure he will make an impact, however we have a number of good players in our squad that England will be out to stop."