Scotland U19s are making ready for a triple header of European Championship qualifiers over the following week.
The children face Wales in Stirling on Wednesday earlier than internet hosting Lichtenstein at Cappielow this Saturday. They then around the part off towards France subsequent Tuesday.
The highest two from the four-team group progress to the Elite Spherical of qualifiers in March subsequent 12 months.
Below the stewardship of former Hearts midfielder Neil MacFarlane, the Scots have been handed a welcomed enhance with the inclusion of Motherwell sensation Lennon Miller within the squad.
MacFarlane, who’s Head Coach of Brentford’s B crew alongside his function with the U19s of his nation, doesn’t suppose an excessive amount of stress must be placed on {the teenager}, nevertheless.
“It’s step-by-step, that’s what I at all times say in creating younger gamers,” mentioned McFarlane.
“If he continues on an upward trajectory, hopefully, sooner or later we’ll get him there [senior squad].
“That’s a part of my function on this job, to get them progressing into the 21s, which he’s achieved. After which to get them progressing via to Steve’s crew.
“And that comes hand in hand with development via the nationwide set-up, but in addition enjoying properly on your membership – which he’s doing.
“It’s a case of simply being actually calm. That’s what I’ve at all times had an incredible perception in with working with younger gamers. You keep calm with them and work with them relentlessly.
“With perspective, which he has acquired, then hopefully sooner or later that second [senior call up] will come.”
Regardless of requires Miller to be included within the senior Scotland crew, he was desperate to play for the U19s, which happy boss MacFarlane.
He mentioned: “Hear, he wished to play.
“It’s an actual testomony to his perspective, how humble he’s that he needs to play.
“However he’s additionally life like that he is aware of he’s acquired to maintain progressing. He’s a extremely, actually good boy, he’s having a terrific season.
“He’s a really humble lad. He’s performing actually, rather well for Motherwell and Motherwell deserves a variety of credit score as properly. They’re placing their younger gamers into the crew at such an early age and he’s actually benefiting from that.
“And we’ll profit from that this week. If he can proceed on an upward trajectory, hopefully, he’ll have a extremely good profession.”
Miller performing properly may very well be key to any Scotland prosperity this week. So too may the objectives of Celtic’s Daniel Cummings.
The teenage striker has scored 20 in 18 appearances for the Hoops’ B crew this season and is on hearth.
He acquired a call-up to Scotland’s U19s late on Sunday night time: “Daniel’s achieved actually, rather well,” mentioned gaffer MacFarlane.
“He’s scored a variety of objectives within the Lowland League and scored within the UEFA Youth League as properly.
“He’s been doing rather well for them, simply as plenty of the lads at Celtic have been doing.
“It simply provides to the attacking choices on the prime finish of the pitch.”
Alongside the free-scoring Cummings, the likes of Ryan One, who scored for Sheffield United within the English Championship final week, and Alfie Bavidge will present firepower for Scotland on the prime finish of the pitch.
Progressing to the Elite Spherical of qualifying shall be a problem, however one MacFarlane and Co. shall be greater than prepared for when kick-off comes round towards the Welsh on Wednesday.
