One-time Hutchie kid plots Scots' downfall

While the striker's name will probably be unfamiliar to many, it's instantly recognisable to everyone connected with Hutchison Vale, the boys' club renowned for having set numerous young hopefuls on the road to stardom.

Finnbogason, below, spent around 18 months as a child in Edinburgh, regularly turning out for "Hutchie" and Blackhall Primary School, admitting he had a wonderful time in the Capital but determined to push any sentimental feelings aside as Iceland and the Scots battle it out in a double-header to decide which country will make next summer's finals in Denmark.

Billy Stark's squad travel to Iceland for tomorrow night's first leg before playing host to Iceland at Easter Road on Monday, a match which Finnbogason revealed will see him realise his dream, having become a Hibs fan during his time in Edinburgh.

Speaking exclusively to the Evening News, he said: "My family came to Edinburgh in 1998 when I was nine as my father, Finnbogi, was studying at Edinburgh University. I have a lot of fond memories of Scotland and of playing for Hutchie Vale where I learned a lot and we won some cups and the league for the Under-10s although we were Under-Nines.

"Hutchie Vale has a great reputation for having brought through so many top Scottish players over the years so I suppose it feels a bit strange to be returning to Edinburgh as an Icelandic player hoping to beat Scotland.

"The fact the second game will be taking place at Easter Road makes it all the more special. My father used to take me and a friend to games there, I became something of a Hibs fan although I could never have dreamt of returning there one day as a player representing my country in a big match."

Although a Hibs fan, the young Finnbogason's favourite player of that time was Celtic's prolific hitman Henrik Larsson, a natural hero given his own exploits in front of goal were evident even then.

He said: "I've always scored goals, I think I was born with an eye for a goal. Even at the lower levels I was top scorer and I've successfully taken that into the higher ranks."

Although he describes himself as having been a "late bloomer," following his return to his native land, Scotland Under-21 boss Stark will be well aware of the threat he poses having burst onto the scene with newly-crowned Icelandic champions Breidabliks, the side knocked out of Europa League contention by Motherwell earlier in the season.

"My career progressed slowly in Iceland," he said, "But last year I broke into the first team at Breidabliks and scored 13 goals in 18 games which earned me the title of the best young player in the league."

Finnbogason maintained that impressive record in the season just ended, netting 14 times in 21 games as Breidabliks pipped Hafnarfjordur to the title on goal difference, making them champions for the first time in their history.

A long list of "assists" also helped Finnbogason be voted player of the year, the youngster admitting he'll quickly have to get his feet back on the ground for the double-header against Scotland when he fully intends to keep up an equally astonishing strike-rate, having claimed five goals in six qualifying matches,

His goals helped Iceland finish second in Group 5 behind the Czech Republic, a fair feat considering current European Under-21 Champions Germany were in the same section.

Iceland progressed to the play-off stage as one of the best runners-up, the Scots topping their qualifying group with a last-gasp win over Austria at Pittodrie.

But now Iceland have underlined their determination to create history by making the Under-21 finals at the expense of Scotland with coach Eyjolfur Sverrisson having packed his squad with full internationalists, including Hearts stand-in skipper Eggert Jonsson.

Finnbogason, who himself won his first full cap against the Faroe Islands, said: "I actually only started three of our qualifying games. We have a very strong team and, to be honest, I don't know if I will play form the start against Scotland which, I think, shows the strength of our squad. There's a number of our players including Eggert, a good friend of mine, playing abroad, in countries such as Holland, England, Denmark, Norway and Belgium.

"We've had a good run of results which we hope to keep going. Obviously the highlight of our qualifying campaign was drawing away to Germany and then thrashing them 4-1 at home, that's one of the proudest results in Icelandic football history.

"Now we'd love to go one step further and reach the finals of a tournament for the first time, that would be great for us as players and our nation."

Although quietly confident, Finnbogason admitted the 180 minutes to decide whether it will be Scotland or Iceland celebrating come the final whistle at Easter Road on Monday night appears too tight to call. "Scotland did well to qualify," he said. "While nobody probably expected us to do so. But to come out of a group containing both Germany and the Czech Republic was a job well done. I think we will have two tough games against Scotland, I think both teams will look to play football. The first match will probably see us spending the first half getting to know each other but come the second game we'll know each other well.

"A good result as far as I am concerned would be not to concede a goal at home. Winning 1-0 would be very good but I believe a clean sheet is the key. I'd imagine Easter Road will attract a big crowd, especially with Paul Hanlon and David Wotherspoon of Hibs and David Templeton of Hearts in the Scottish squad and that would make it a fantastic occasion.

"For our part having someone like Eggert in our squad can only help, he's like a spy in the Scottish camp as he'll have played against most of their players and will be able to give us a good insight into their strengths and weaknesses."

Like Jonsson and many of his national team-mates, Finnbogason has a hankering to ply his trade abroad, well aware a couple of starring roles against Scotland can only help him realise that ambition.

He said: "I think I have probably done everything I can in Iceland, it's hard to speculate about what might happen but I'd like to play in Europe.

"But for the moment the entire focus is on these two games against Scotland. Like many of my team-mates I'll soon be too old to play at Under-21 level and while I hope to move on to the full team - I got my first cap earlier this year - reaching the European Championship finals would be a fantastic way to say goodbye."