Feruz remains part of Scotland set-up

Feruz has been left out of the Scotland Under-17 squad for their 2012 European Championship qualifying matches in Macedonia later this month. But Ross Mathie, the SFA’s international youth teams coach, is confident Feruz remains committed to his adopted nation. “The decision was taken not to pick Islam for the under-17s while the issue with his club career is going on in the background,” Mathie explained to The Scotsman. “We feel he needs time to sort that out. But ever since Islam came into the Scotland set-up, I’ve never had any indication from him that he doesn’t want to play for us on a long-term basis. He has enjoyed playing for Scotland and I see no reason why that won’t continue to be the case.”

Celtic were left angry and disappointed last month when it emerged that 16-year-old Feruz would not be continuing his career with them. The Somali-born forward has agreed a lucrative professional contract with Chelsea, although his signing has yet to be formally confirmed by the Stamford Bridge club.

Feruz, who fled the civil war in his homeland with his mother and sister when he was five to seek asylum in Glasgow, had been on Celtic’s books for the past five years. When his family were threatened with deportation back to Somalia, their case to remain in the United Kingdom was successfully championed at the immigration authorities by the late Celtic first-team coach Tommy Burns, who took a close personal interest in Feruz’s development. While still only 14, Feruz made a substitute appearance in the tribute match to Burns at Celtic Park in May 2009. Five months later, his reputation as the hottest prospect in Scottish football was further enhanced when he made his debut for Scotland’s Under-16 side in a Victory Shield international against Wales in Rhyl. Feruz scored the only goal of the game, his contribution becoming a hugely popular You Tube clip.

He qualifies to play for Scotland through the new eligibility rules agreed between the four Home Nations and Fifa which entitle a player born in one country to represent another if he has spent at least five years in education there. Feruz could still opt to switch back to representing his homeland, a decision he will be entitled to make up to his 21st birthday. Somalia, currently ranked 193rd in the Fifa rankings, cannot play any matches on home soil because of the ongoing strife in the African nation. They did not enter the 2012 African Cup of Nations tournament but are taking part in qualification for the 2014 World Cup. Following his initial impact in the dark blue of Scotland with that match-winning performance against Wales, Feruz earned two more caps at under-16 level. While still aged 14, he was promoted to the under-17 squad in October 2009 when he appeared as a substitute in a European Championship qualifier against Cyprus at East End Park.

He has since been capped 15 times at under-17 level, scoring seven goals. He has not played for Scotland since March this year when a 1-1 draw against Czech Republic in Italy saw them miss out on a place in the 2011 European Championship finals. It was at that time when concern grew at Celtic over the possibility of Feruz leaving the club.

“I’d say it was round about March or April when we first became aware of a problem with him,” revealed Celtic manager Neil Lennon recently. “His attitude changed dramatically and his attitude towards the club changed dramatically. Yet the club has been so good to him. We’ve looked after him and his family very well but his head’s been turned, obviously. We had him up training here with the first team the last few months of the season. We told him he would be part of the development team this season in terms of being here every day and training with the younger lads who are pushing for a squad place and also training with the first team on occasion, too.

“We’ve spoken to Islam. We’ve tried everything. I think it’s been really badly handled. He’s been badly advised. I think he would’ve had far more of an opportunity to progress here.”