Forsyth will get glimpse of the future in U21 tests

The busy summer continues for Scotland coach Derek Forsyth. He has just finished a shift as assistant to Russell Garcia with the senior squad’s campaigns in the Champions Challenge and European Nations Championships and now he takes charge of his under-21 team in two test matches against England at Inverclyde today and tomorrow.

“I’m using the England games as the start of our preparations for next year’s European Championships in Den Bosch [in the Netherlands],” said Forsyth. “We will also be going to the Blau Weiss tournament in Berlin next month. This is us pulling together a large viewing squad. With only five players eligible from last year’s U21 team, we are looking at the U18s from both this year and last year’s campaign, and using these games as part of our assessment programme,” he added.

From past experience, Forsyth fully understands the importance of the impending U21 campaign. “Next year’s European Championships is also a qualifier for the Junior World Cup for 2013, and so we’re aiming to finish in the top five which would hopefully gain us entry to the World Cup.”

Scotland’s youngsters have already had a successful outing this year. They completed the double over Canada’s juniors at Peffermill a few months ago. The first game ended 5-1 for the home side, Kelburne striker Alan Forsyth scoring four times and also missing from the spot, to be followed by a more modest 2-1 victory.

The experience in the squad will come from the Kelburne pair of Forsyth and Michael Bremner, both of whom have been regulars in the senior squad over this summer’s campaign.

But the bulk of Forsyth’s squad for this weekend is from the U18 side that won gold and promotion from the European Youth Championship 11 in Cernusco last month. There are step-ups for goalkeepers Sean Hadfield (CALA Edinburgh) and Blair Fotheringham (Durham City) as well as the Greaves Clydesdale quartet of Scott Lindsay, Aidan Black, Peter Baldwin and Gregor Hirst. Also given their chance to impress Forsyth are Duncan Riddell (Grange) Craig Falconer (Grove Menzieshill), Ross McIntyre (Kelburne) and Andrew Malcolm (Inverleith).

England will provide tough opposition for Forsyth’s fledglings. They came fourth in last year’s European Championships, but like Scotland they will be rebuilding their squad for next season’s tournament in Den Bosch.