Schools football: U18s target Shield defence

Falkirk High School and Holyrood Secondary in Glasgow provide a third of the Lloyds TSB under-18 squad that will represent Scotland in defence of this year’s Centenary Shield.

The final 18 for matches against joint holders Northern Ireland, Wales, the Republic of Ireland and England met up for the final training session under head coach Stewart Taylor at Toryglen Regional Football Centre in Glasgow.

The list included the Falkirk High trio of Kieran Anderson-Ballantyne, Jamie O’Grady and Dean Shaw, plus three from Holyrood – Gary Duggan, Ryan McGeever, Conor McVey. The under-18s will open this season’s campaign against Northern Ireland on 24 February, before entertaining Wales at Forfar Athletic’s Station Park on 15 March.

The youngsters then face two away trips. They travel to Waterford to take on the Republic of Ireland on 30 March before their final game against England at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park on 12 April, a game that will be shown live on Sky Sports.

Gordon Strachan is a former Scottish schoolboy cap and The Lloyds TSB Scotland Schools’ Football Ambassador, said: “I have very fond memories of playing for Scotland as a schoolboy. It’s an incredible feeling to represent your country, whether at a World Cup or in a schoolboys’ international. Being part of the under-18’s squad will prove a great learning curve for these young boys.”

Rod Houston, president of the Scottish Schools’ FA, added: “Our international schools’ set-up has an illustrious history of nurturing young talent in Scotland.

“Gordon Strachan is just one of the many famous names to have progressed through the schools’ ranks. Hopefully the class of 2012 can build on the success of our 2011 squad.”

Lloyds TSB Scotland Under-18 (for 2012 Centenary Shield)

Dean Agnew (Stranraer Academy), Kieran Anderson-Ballantyne, Jamie O’Grady, Dean Shaw (all Falkirk High School), Stuart Close (Bucksburn Academy), Connaire Connelly (St John’s High School, Dundee), Matthew Cooper (Banff Academy), Matthew Craig (Williamwood High School), Greg Docherty (Douglas Academy), Gary Duggan, Ryan McGeever, Conor McVey (all Holyrood Secondary, Glasgow), Scott Ferries (Tain Royal Academy), Steven Forbes (Balfron High School), Kieran Hughes (Trinity High School, Rutherglen), Alan Lawson (Bathgate Academy), Ross McGeachie (Bannockburn High School), Lawrence Shankland (Bannerman High School, Glasgow).