U-21 defender Toshney aiming for Scotland team

SCOTLAND Under-21 defender Lewis Toshney aims to take the same path trodden by a number of his young compatriots and follow it all the way to Gordon Strachan’s senior squad.

The Dundee centre-half – on loan at Dens Park from Celtic – netted his first goal for Billy Stark’s side in their 3-0 win over Luxembourg on Monday. The 2015 Uefa Under-21 Championships qualifier victory was the latest promising display by a team that has proved to be a breeding ground for the full national side in recent years.

Strachan travelled to Serbia for last night’s World Cup qualifier with Paul Caddis, Grant Hanley, Barry Bannan, Gary Mackay-Steven and Jordan Rhodes – just five recent recruits from Stark’s group. Now Toshney, who has made 19 appearances for Dundee since making his temporary switch last August, wants to be the next youngster to make the step up.

The 20-year-old said: “There is definitely enough quality coming through at this level. You just need to see the boys from the last campaign who have taken that step up to the senior squad. Guys like Danny Wilson and Johnny Russell have made the step up, and you also have Jordan Rhodes and Gary Mackay-Steven in there.

“So that shows we have got the potential coming through. This group of players we have got at Under-21 level are working as a team and we showed that at Luxembourg. I’m sure all the boys in this team have a bright future. When you see guys who have played at Under-21s getting their chance in the senior squad, it really encourages you.

“I look at Grant Hanley. I thought he was brilliant against Wales. He’s a young guy who has made that step up. I’m getting my chance at Under-21s but I need to make sure I take it.”

Toshney grabbed his first goal for his country when Luxembourg goalkeeper Steve Pfeiffer spilled a late Ryan Fraser cross right at his feet. But that 83rd-minute gift at St Mirren Park came after the stopper had first denied the centre-back with a great one-handed save.

“I should have had a hat-trick,” claimed Toshney later.

Scotland’s youngsters now have to wait until September for their next qualifier, when the opposition – Group Three favourites the Netherlands – will be a lot tougher.