Scotland U-21: First-team experience boosts Archer

SCOTLAND Under-21 goalkeeper Jordan Archer believes he is approaching the new European qualification campaign a more rounded individual following his loan spell with Wycombe.

The Tottenham player made his first-team debut after joining the npower League Two club in September and has been a regular throughout the campaign.

The 19-year-old feels exposure to the realities of top-team football has hardened him and he even had to deal with an on-field incident which led to a Gillingham fan being charged with assaulting him.

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Archer, who is in line to start when Billy Stark’s side host Luxembourg at St Mirren Park tonight, said: “I have played 30 games there now so that has been good for my development.

“As a young keeper, playing games is the most important thing. Jack Butland is the only other 19-year-old playing in the Football League so getting games of that quality at this age is good.

“In league football, everyone is playing for their future. The pressure of going out and 
getting three points every week is different. That transition has really helped.

“Playing reserve team football for Spurs is good, but there is more importance added to every game in the Football League.

“There are added pressures and more fans and I have enjoyed every game.”

Scotland failed to qualify for this year’s finals after a late goal in Austria denied them victory in their last qualifier and saw them finish second in their group but not make the play-offs.

But they will begin their bid to qualify for the 2015 finals in confident fashion after putting eight goals past Luxembourg in two games in the last group.

“It was a disappointing end to the last campaign but I think this year we can push on and qualify,” Archer said.

“I played against Luxembourg at St Mirren Park in the last campaign. It won’t be easy but we are capable of getting a win.”