ian1964

ARCHIE CAMPBELL was the hero this afternoon as the Rangers' Reserves beat an experienced Falkirk side 1-0 at Murray Park. The pacey 18-year-old was deployed on the right side of midfield for the majority of the opening 45 minutes but moved in to his familiar role as a striker at the start of the second-half. The tactical switch by coach Tommy Wilson immediately paid dividends when Gregg Wylde played a delightful cross in to the box and Archie was there to guide a terrific shot past Bairns' keeper Robert Olejnik. The goal proved decisive in what was an excellent contest between two very good sides. In the first-half both had chances to get their noses in front and, to be fair, the visitors enjoyed the majority of possession. On 14 minutes Kevin Moffat tried his luck from distance with a 20 yard shot across goal which brought out a terrific save by Graeme Smith who had to dive low to his left. And before the half-hour mark Rangers were again fortunate when Arnau Riera chipped a free-kick in to the box and the unmarked Dean Holden somehow missed the target with a right-foot volley from six yards. Brahim Hemdani Rangers, however, were always a threat and on 36 minutes Steven Naismith was guilty of missing a snip. Campbell flicked the ball between two defenders and sent Naisy racing through on goal. He rounded the keeper but took the ball too wide and his shot from a tight angle zipped across the six yard box and out for a goal kick. The second-half was equally hard fought but Campbell clearly relished being up top alongside Naismith and his instintive strike after the interval was a suckerpunch for the Falkirk players. Steven Naismith in action against Falkirk ReservesOnce the goal had been scored Rangers started to control proceedings with Ross Perry and Danny Wilson hugely impressive in the heart of defence. The pace of Naismith and Campbell was also a contant threat and midway through the half the pair combined brilliantly. The latter picked up the ball on the half-way line and fed it out wide to his strike partner before darting past three markers in to the box. Naismith looked up and found his teammate but his shot was straight at Olejnik. Only minutes later Wylde, being utilised on the left side of midfield, played the ball to the overlapping Steven Smith. His inch-perfect cross was met first-time by Naisy from eight yards but again it was too close to the keeper. In the end the Light Blues held on to their advantage and it was an excellent result for a team littered with under-19 players. Steven Lennon Campbell's speed and movement was impressive throughout as was the defensive qualities of Perry and Wilson. In the centre of midfield Kyle Hutton, who scored in the 19s 6-2 win over Inverness on Saturday, worked hard alongside Brahim Hemdani while Wylde was full of energy on the left. The youngsters deserve great credit for the way they performed against a strong Falkirk side who will be kicking themselves for not taking the chances that came their way before half-time. RANGERS: G. Smith; Lowing, Wilson, Perry, S. Smith; Campbell (Bagci), Hemdani, Hutton, Wylde; Lennon, Naismith Subs Not Used: Vaiculis, Forbes, Durie Scott Falkirk: Olejnik, Holden (Sludden), McCaffrey (Stallard), Allison, Staunton (Young), McBride, Aafjes, Riera, Robertson, Lynch, Moffat Subs Not Used: Andrews, Murdoch Position P W D L F A Gd Pts Celtic 17 14 2 1 41 13 28 44 Rangers 17 10 5 2 34 15 19 35 Hearts 17 8 6 3 25 18 7 30 Dundee United 17 8 3 6 25 18 7 27 St Mirren 19 8 2 9 25 29 -4 26 Hibernian 18 7 3 8 26 32 -6 24 Aberdeen 16 7 2 7 19 20 -1 23 Motherwell 16 6 4 6 26 23 3 22 Kilmarnock 18 6 4 8 18 22 -4 22 Inverness CT 19 5 4 10 25 35 -10 19 Falkirk 19 3 4 12 15 36 -21 13 Hamilton 19 3 3 13 23 41 -17 12

TOMMY WILSON praised the young players that helped his Reserve side secure an excellent 1-0 win over Falkirk at Murray Park. The coach admits that he was concerned when he saw Falkirk's experienced starting line-up and wondered how his talented teens would cope with the demands. Tommy WilsonHe need not have worried as players such as Danny Wilson, Ross Perry, Kyle Hutton, Gregg Wylde and scorer Archie Campbell all stood out and showed that they are ready to feature regularly at this level. Tommy said: "I am delighted with the result today, especially after seeing the experienced team Falkirk had out. "In contrast we had a very young side but coped with the situation very well. "We knew there would come a time when we would have to bring a few of our under-19 players in to the Reserve set-up and today was that day because of internationals and players away on loan etc. "I am thrilled with the performance and credit must go to all the players including Archie Campbell who scored a terrific goal. "Three under-19 players were involved in it with Kyle playing it out to Gregg and then Archie getting on the end of his cross. Archie Campbell celebrates scoring with Gregg Wylde "We had a number of chances in the second-half as did Falkirk throughout the game; we expected that from an accomplished team with a lot of good players. "I didn't feel that we were hanging on after we scored but it would have been nice to get the second goal." Rangers have now taken 16 points from their last six games at Reserve level but remain some distance behind leaders Celtic. Tommy added: "We are on a good run of form right now and we need to be with Celtic still ahead although we have still to play them again. "We're still there with an opportunity to win the league which I would have settled for at the start of the season. "I looked at the team line before today's game and only two players were involved in the previous Reserve game against Falkirk. "So that shows you the changes we have had to make in terms of personnel but we are still in with a fighting chance."

Looks like that was the final result

April fool

JOHN FLECK took the next step in his blossoming career on Saturday when he made his Scotland under-21 debut in Elbasani's Ruzhdi Bizhutu Stadium and he hopes to get another run-out for Billy Stark's team tonight at the Falkirk Stadium. John FleckThe 17-year-old came off the bench in the 80th minute as the young Scots ran out 1-0 winners in the first of two European Championship 2011 group qualifiers against Albania. It was the perfect start for the country's talented kids and they will be looking for a similar result tonight in their second Group 10 fixture. Facing the Albanians was have been a massive boost to Fleck who burst in to Walter Smith's first-team plans earlier this year before taking a slight dip in form which happens to most young stars. After scoring his first senior goal against Dundee United on January 31 John was being tipped for global stardom by sections of the media but the player himself has kept his feet firmly on the ground and realises his first goal is to become an established first-team star at Rangers. He said: "In the past couple of years there has been a lot written and said about me and there is even more now that I have moved in to the first-team. "It is great that people are interested but I let a lot of it go over my head. "I think the most important thing when you are my age is to keep your head down and just focus on trying to play football. "There can be a lot of things happen around you but I just want to do my best at Rangers and keep improving." Despite only making eleven appearances for the Gers' top team to date rumours started back in February that Fleck could be in line for a shock call-up to George Burley's full international squad with the coach admitting he was monitoring his progress. John, however, was delighted to be selected for the country's under-21s and insists this has been the best step for his career. He said: "At times I think people do expect a lot from me but that is something you have to get used to when you are at a club like Rangers. "I have loved the experience of playing in the first-team recently but there was a couple of games where I didn't play as well as I want to. "That has been frustrating but I am still learning and I am sure the consistency will come with the more experience I get." John has not featured in the top team since March 4 against Inverness Caley Thistle but he is fully aware that patience is an important ingredient for any young player at a major club. He said: "The past few months have seen me take a few big steps in that I have played in some big games with Rangers and scored my first goal for the first-team. "I have also been picked for the under-21s and made my debut so I am delighted with the way things are going. "At the same time I know that all the hard work starts here and although I have played against the likes of AC Milan, Celtic, Aberdeen and Dundee United I need to be more consistent. "When you are young your form can go

by Lindsay Herron STEVIE NAISMITH is being given another reserve run-out today when he hopes to prove he is ready for a top team return at Falkirk on Sunday. The former Kilmarnock striker has been finding it hard in recent weeks to get into the action, although he did come on as a sub against Hearts on March 21. Tommy WilsonHowever, with Kyle Lafferty now missing with an ankle injury for at least three weeks it could be a chance for Naismith to stake his claim. The 23-year-old scored twice on his last reserve outing when Tommy Wilson's side defeated Hibs 2-1 on March 10. And he is liable to lead the line with Stevie Lennon today when Rangers meet Falkirk Reserves at Murray Park. Wilson's squad is stretched with so many reserve players on loan and two more joined the list yesterday when Steven Kinniburgh joined St Johnstone and Ross Harvey moved to Brechin City. With the international break there are also a number of other players unavailable so Wilson will have a young side out full of under-19 players. Graeme Smith, Stevie Smith and Brahim Hemdani from the first team squad will play. Rangers have the chance to cut Celtic's lead at the top to five points and they still have a home game to come against their Old Firm rivals so there is still plenty to play for. Wilson said: "We have quite a few lads missing and with so many reserve players on loan it makes it difficult. "Players like Aaron, Maurice Edu and Andrius Velicka would all probably have played but they are away so we have to juggle a bit. "The good thing about having the boys on loan is that if gives them a lot of experience and that's important. "However, at the same time we have to try to win Reserve matches. Hopefully the team we put out will be able to do that." Kick-off at Murray Park is 1pm.

I remember Nilis, quality player

By ROGER HANNAH Published: Today rigTeaserImage BARRY FERGUSON could have played his last game for Scotland ââ?¬â? after being axed by George Burley last night. Skipper Ferguson and his Rangers team-mate Allan McGregor were booted out after an early-morning bevvy session on Sunday. SunSport can reveal boss Burley has binned the pair for tonightââ?¬â?¢s do-or-die World Cup crunch against Iceland at Hampden. Ferguson, 31, and McGregor, 27, joined team-mates for drinks at posh Cameron House Hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond early on Sunday. Burley sanctioned the post-match bonding session, but was left in a rage when it carried on for several HOURS. Itââ?¬â?¢s believed he has spent the last 48 hours pondering a punishment for the Ibrox duo. Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s sensational axeing casts huge doubts over his future with Scotland. He has played just once for Burley in the last 14 months and, despite winning 45 caps, he has never won over the Tartan Army. McGregor, who will be replaced between the sticks by Craig Gordon, has won only four caps. The SFA refused to comment on the boozing claims last night, although chief executive Gordon Smith will come under pressure to make a statement today. Burley will also have to address the incident after tonightââ?¬â?¢s must-win clash. But it is the biggest gamble of his managerial career. Burley will now rip apart the side which plunged to defeat in Holland. Alan Hutton will replace the crocked Graham Alexander at right-back, while West Bromââ?¬â?¢s James Morrison will take Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s place in midfield. Fit-again Stephen McManus will replace Christophe Berra and also be handed the captainââ?¬â?¢s armband in Fergusonââ?¬â?¢s absence. Steven Fletcher is expected to take Gary Tealeââ?¬â?¢s place. Before the sensational row blew up last night, Burley insisted he would not be scared to axe any of his top stars. He said: ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s a one-off game, a cup final for us, and Iââ?¬â?¢ll pick a one-off team to win the match. ââ?¬Å?These are going to be key decisions, big decisions. ââ?¬Å?Iââ?¬â?¢m not going to speak about individuals, but every position is under consideration. Iââ?¬â?¢ll speak to the players in the morning. ââ?¬Å?I had to make hard decisions when we faced Iceland in Reykjavik, but I picked the team that was right and I had no regrets. I will have no regrets this time either. I will back my own judgement. It will simply be what I think will be the best team to win. ââ?¬Å?As a manager, you canââ?¬â?¢t please everybody.ââ?¬Â The absence of Ferguson ââ?¬â? and the circumstances surrounding his exit ââ?¬â? will cause most controversy. Advertisement First capped more than a decade ago, his dreams of a place in the SFA Hall of Fame ââ?¬â? and playing at a major finals ââ?¬â? may now go unfulfilled. He has been capped by FIVE different Scotland bosses ââ?¬â? Craig Brown, Berti Vogts, Walter Smith, Alex McLeish and Burley. Heââ?¬â?¢s also won every domestic honour in Scotland, led Gers into the UEFA Cup Final and twice been honoured as Player of the Year. Itââ?¬â?¢s unclear what the future holds for Ferguson with regard to Scotland as Burley's own job could depend on tonight's result. Defeat or a draw against Iceland would almost certainly end hopes of qualifying for the World Cup Finals in South Africa next summer. SFA chief executive Smith and president George Peat handed the ex-Hearts gaffer the national team job until the end of the qualifying campaign. But if it comes to a premature end this evening, it's certain to prompt calls for the gafferââ?¬â?¢s head after just nine matches in charge. And any future Scotland boss would then have to decide whether to bring Ferguson and McGregor, as well as Kris Boyd, back into the fold. Itââ?¬â?¢s believed the manager is aggrieved that players abused the trust heââ?¬â?¢d placed in them and feels badly let down. A peace pact between Burley and the axed aces canââ?¬â?¢t be ruled out.For now, though, Scotland must enter the most important game of Burleyââ?¬â?¢s reign without their most experienced and influential player. http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/article2353364.ece

STEVEN Kinniburgh is expected to complete a loan move to St Johnstone this afternoon that will see him spend the final few months of the season in Perth. The left back will hope to feature for Derek McInnes's title chasing side as they aim to return to the SPL next season. Kinniburgh joins a host of reserve team players that are currently gaining experience away from Murray Park with Ross Harvey also added to that list today as he joins Second Division Brechin City. Harvey and Kinniburgh are the latest to leave temporarily to earn first team football, following in the footsteps of Lee Robinson, Willie McLachlan, Jordan McMillan, Andrew Shinnie, Georgos Efrem, Dean Furman and Rory Loy. Scott Gallacher, Paul Emslie, Steven Lennon and Alan Lowing have also now returned to the club after loan periods earlier in the season. Kinniburgh, who has made seven reserve appearances for Tommy Wilson's side, will hope to impress during his time in Perth as he prepares to enter the last year of his contract with Rangers in the summer.

I was going to suggest '' Mallet '' as in Timmy, but I don't think BD would take to kindly to being called '' Timmy ''....................

It was the same with bringing Hutton on IMO, when did Hutton last play a competitive match ?, don't get me wrong the guy is a cracking player and I'm glad to see him back from injury, but Burley refused to play Boyd for not playing well with Rangers !!!!!!, he calls up Whittaker and then throws on a player who is hardly match fit !!!!

You put your left hand up, You put your right hand down, The ball flies past and you look like a clown You do the holy goalie and you turn around, Next thing your 3-1 down Ohhhh Artur Boruc....ohhhh Artur Boruc!

Store club will do

John Fleck and Rory Loy both came on as substitutes as Scotland under-21s, with Andrew Shinnie in their ranks, secured an excellent 1-0 away win over Albania.

Ah well it's got to be done , I thought you didn't care too much for the international scene

Is this game on sky ?

Scotland were taught a lesson inside the Amsterdam ArenA. The 3-0 defeat inflicted on George Burley's beaten-up side in World Cup qualification Group 9 was only part of the education. George Peat, in his traditional sit-down with Sunday newspapermen on these jaunts, bemoaned the state of Scottish football from the senior game to grass roots. The subtext was: in times of financial hardship, for how much longer will supporters continue to pay over the odds for the dross served up on the pitch and in the pie stalls? It is hard to disagree. His challenge as president of the Scottish FA is providing a viable solution via his newly formed working group. Emulating the Dutch philosophy is a good start. These guys know how to put on a show. The home of Ajax is a thrilling venue for international football, a space-age dome that resembles a prop from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. The pre-match entertainment ensured the majority of the 70,000 support were in place at least an hour before kick-off. advertisement A sound system blaring out an agreeable shuffle of 80s electro pop and stadium rock anthems helped the revelry along and an airing of 500 Miles not only involved the Tartan Army in the shindig but evoked a communal karaoke that put a smile on the face of even the most cynical and weary international traveller. As well as providing one of the most talented teams on the planet, the KNVB did not take the football for granted. As a result, they ought to be commended for contributing to a kaleidoscope of colour. Their fans were the highlight of Euro 2008, kitted out head to toe in fluorescent orange, drinking merrily, but not to excess, and generally enhancing the reputation of their country's sublime team. If only the Tartan Army had such self-control. Dam Square resembled a battleground before and after the game, strewn with kilted casualties to the local nectar. There is a fine line between banter and breach of the peace and while the majority enjoyed themselves responsibly, there remains a core of Scotland fans who heap embarrassment on their country. Starved of success for so long, they are now complicit in this barren era for their acceptance of the team's failings. In short, for many the opportunity to sample a new mixture of hops and barley takes priority over the football. The beer blocks out the expectation. A similar resignation has become apparent domestically. Supporters have wearily accepted the grubby nature of the country's primary sporting pursuit and have perpetuated the downturn by not voting with their feet. This summer is expected to be a watershed for Scottish football. It can only be hoped Peat and the other hierarchical figures heed the warning. Football fans from the Old Firm down are given no real value for money, with the odd laudable exception. Clubs are now reaping a bitter harvest after decades of reckless spending on mediocre players to the detriment of their stadium, catering and customers. It is a bugbear that clubs continue to take their supporters' cash for granted. They moan that they cannot get enough through the gates yet provide little to entice them from a young age. The Old Firm have been oversubscribed with season ticket requests but that trend will change if the standards continue to plummet. The relationship between player and punter has never been so distant. Public relations departments put up a needless partition by treating average talents as precious, untouchable ornaments to admire but not touch. If football wants to be loved again, it has to open up. They have to actively end the trend of fans arriving at 3.05pm and rushing for the exits with 10 minutes to go. They can start - Old Firm included - by making their players available in fan zones an hour before kick-off. Scott Brown and Barry Ferguson are injured? Their turn to take part in a mini coaching clinic outside the ground, a meet-and-greet for competition winners, an autograph here, a photograph there. Real PR, week after week. Provincial clubs are losing their local fans? Get into primary schools, help out the school teacher/school team manager once a week and promote the brand around the ground with mini crossbar challenges, face-painting in club colours - anything to get the kids to come back and feel the club is part of their community, not just a drain on daddy's dwindling disposable income. If the clubs claim they don't have money to throw at marketing, then the SPL should have the spine to contract out to an event management team capable of enhancing the product and mending the broken relationship between clubs and their audience. While we are at it, why not get the government's backing by doing away with the artery-clogging menus and looking after the customer's health while ripping them off at the kiosks? The standard of football may not have evolved but eating habits have moved on from war-time favourites such as mutton pie and Bovril. Scottish football needs a radical overhaul but improving the stunted development is only part of it. If the clubs continue to drag their heels, maybe an opportunist entrepreneur will step forward and seize the moment. In the meantime, the fans can play their part by demanding improvement, even if it means staying away in droves until the message finally hits home. n And another thing Your intrepid reporter confounded sleep deprivation and the Amsterdam red-eye flight to score (admittedly from two yards out) in Jackton Allstars' narrow 3-2 defeat to a Tommy Sheridan-inspired East Kilbride News Select. The teams, including John Hartson, John Brown and a still silky Frank McGarvey, helped raise �£1600 for Kilbryde Hospice and the EK News Toy Appeal. http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/headlines/display.var.2498597.0.Scottish_football_needs_a_radical_overhaul.php

SKY SPORTS' 'Time of our Lives' series continues tonight with a special programme about the Rangers team that won the 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup. 'Kings of Ibrox' will celebrate the remarkable achievements of the side managed by Willie Waddell some 37 years ago at 10pm this evening on Sky Sports 1. Sandy JardineIn the programme, club legends John Greig, Sandy Jardine and Derek Johnstone all join Jeff Stelling for a considered stroll down memory lane. They'll look back to the tumultuous events of 24 May 1972, when the Light Blues beat Moscow Dynamo 3-2 in Barcelona to claim their first European trophy. As well as the final itself, the three Hall of Famers will reminisce about the managerial techniques of former boss Waddell. Greig and Jardine will also discuss the heartache of losing to Bayern Munich in the final of the same competition five years earlier in Nuremburg. And all three will recall an incredible European night in Glasgow when they got their revenge against the Germans in front of 80,000 fans at Ibrox. 'Kings of Ibrox' is something you won't want to miss so make sure you tune in to relive the club's biggest achievement on the continental stage.

RANGERS' Scotland stars were hurting in Holland last night as they went down 3-0 in the Amsterdam Arena. Barry Ferguson captained the side, Allan McGregor was helpless to prevent the three goals and Kenny Miller missed a decent chance early in the game. Barry Ferguson and Scott Brown were left disappointed in AmsterdamThe Dutch were a class above but the Scots were incredibly denied a perfectly good goal when Gary Caldwell headed into the net. French refree Laurent Duhamel implied there had been some impeding of the Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg. No-one else could see it and moments later the Dutch wrapped the game up with a Dirk Kuyt penalty, Former Rangers striker Ross McCormack was also in the side while Alan Hutton got on for the last 20 minutes. That's good news with Wednesday's infinitely more important tie with Iceland coming up at Hampden. Meanwhile Rangers youngster Andy Little was in dreamland last night as he came on for his first Nothern Ireland cap.Andrew Little Little, who has yet to play in the Ibrox first team, got the last few minutes as Northern Ireland defeated Poland 3-2 to give themselves qualfication hope. Steve Davis was suspended for the game but will come back in for Wednesday's game with Slovenia. Meanwhile DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu were both in action for the United States, who had to come back from two down to earn a 2-2 draw with El Salvador in San Salvador. Beasley played the whole game while Edu was a late substitute for Michael Bradley. The result keeps the Americans in ideal shape for qualification for South Africa, DaMarcus Beasley in action for the United StatesAlthough unavailable for Rangers for the past two matches, the Co-operative Insurance Cup Final and the 2-2 SPL draw with Hearts, Madjid Bougherra played the whole match for Algeria yesterday as they drew 0-0 with Rwanda in Kigali in the opening match of their qualification process. That will be good news for Walter Smith who will expect Bougherra to be back in harness for next Sunday's resumption of the SPL at Falkirk. John Fleck and Rory Loy both came on as substitutes as Scotland under-21s, with Andrew Shinnie in their ranks, secured an excellent 1-0 away win over Albania. The two countries meet again on Wednesday at the Falkirk Stadium.

Great result today for the young guys, I could not make it myself, but I look forward to Cammys' match report

RANGERS Charity Foundation manager Connal Cochrane has scooped his second award of the last six months thanks to his personal commitment to charity and the community. Connal picked up the prize in the individual contribution category at the Evening Times Community Champion Awards for his work in the Govan and Craigton area via the Rangers Charity Foundation and for the personal fundraising challenges he has undertaken. Connal CochraneIn 2008 he climbed 100 Munros over the course of the year, each one sponsored by a Foundation supporter, and raised �£7,000 personally. In addition, a group of Rangers fans and Foundation supporters climbed Ben Lomond with Connal in May 2008 and raised over �£8,000 collectively. This event was so successful that the Rangers Charity Foundation is running it again this May. If you are interested in participating click HERE for further details. In February 2009, Connal and eight other Rangers staff and supporters completed a 200km dog sled challenge across the frozen wilds of Norway, north of the Arctic Circle, to raise funds for the Rangers Charity Foundation. The challenge was an arduous test of endurance and team work, with the participants facing ice, snow, extreme weather conditions and temperatures as low as minus 30�ºC. Connal's work has impacted hugely on the immediate community, particularly via the launch of a Community Grants scheme for the local Govan area. Connal's successful fundraising resulted in the Foundation being able to extend its grant making activities to create this new scheme in 2008. Connal Cochrane, Martin Bain, Alex Rae, Jacqui Gourlay and Debbie McRae on the Rangers Arctic ChallengeConnal developed the blueprint for and launched the initiative which saw local charities and community groups in the Govan and Craigton area benefit from grants of between �£500 and �£3,000. In 2008, 15 groups benefited to the tune of �£28,000 in total and the scheme has recently opened its doors for application for 2009, with a view to granting a further �£25,000 this season. Applications will be accepted until Friday 17th April and anyone interested can contact Connal at the Foundation for further information on 0141 580 8776. Connal Cochrane also won the prestigious Institute of Fundraising Scotland's Fundraiser of the Year Award 2008. He was again singled out from a record number of entries for his personal commitment. For further information on the work of the Foundation, visit our website at http://www.rangerscharity.org.uk.

It certainly would have been a fantastic signing, he would probably have only been here for one season before moving onto to Arsenal or some other big team

There is no chance of either happening, I still support Scotland and love to see them do well and do get a bit dissapointed when they get beat, however Rangers all the way for me

JOHN FLECK has enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom with Rangers this season but the talented youngster is more than happy to take his international career one step at a time. After scoring his first top team goal from the penalty spot against Dundee United on January 31 there were suggestions that John, 17, could be included in George Burley's 'A' squad for the country's forthcoming European Championship qualifiers against Holland and Iceland. John FleckAlthough he would have been as proud as punch to be selected for fixtures of this importance the talented teen always knew his chances would be slim despite many people tipping him to blast on to the international stage like a Wayne Rooney or Michael Owen. This, of course, is a rarity and last week Fleck was over the moon to be picked by Billy Stark for the Scotland under-21 squad that will take on Albania home and away over the next seven days. Having only made six starts at senior level in a Light Blue jersey John has no doubt that being part of this set-up will be hugely beneficial to his development and he couldn't wait to meet up with his new under-21 colleagues earlier this week. He said: "It's great for me as a young boy to be picked at this level. "We have two big games coming up against Albania and I have to thank Billy Stark for giving me this chance. "There was a lot of talk about me possibly being selected for the top team but I think being with the 21s is the right step for me. "People were saying I could play against Holland this weekend but to be honest I never listen to things like that. "I am still only 17 and have just broken in to the first team at Rangers. "Right now I am just very pleased to be picked the 21s for the first time and if I can make my debut even better." Fleck is one of four Murray Park kids to travel to Albania this week for the first of two European Championship qualifiers and he was joined by goalkeeper Scott Gallacher midfielder Andrew Shinnie and striker Rory Loy. The 2009 European Championship finals will be played this summer in Sweden but with Scotland failing to progress they will now get their qualifying campaign for 2011 underway on Saturday in Elbasani's Ruzhdi Bizhutu John FleckStadium with a return clash at the Falkirk Stadium being played on April 1. John is confident his side can start their qualifying group, which also includes Austria, Belarus and Azerbaijan, off to a flyer by taking full points. He said: "When you look at the squad we have there are a lot of lads playing first-team football every week so I won't be going there expecting to start or anything like that. "When we meet up I will try to impress the coach like everybody else and if I play I will do my best to help the team. "Over the years I have played for Scotland at different levels and when you pull on the jersey it makes you very proud. "If I get that chance again in the next week or so it will be a big thing for me so I will give 100 per cent and hopefully we can get a couple of victories. "I would be lying if I said that I knew anything about Albania but if we play well I am sure we can do well and get a couple of good results. fleck old firm_160"At international level you can never underestimate any team, I am 17 and already I know that, but I always try to be confident going in to every game no matter who it is against." John will use his time with Scotland to catch up with two of his Gers teammates Shinnie and Loy, both of whom are enjoying successful loan spells at Dundee and Dunfermline. He said: "It's great that there are a few of us from Rangers in the squad. "Scott is obviously a talented keeper while Andrew and Rory have been doing very well on loan and have been involved in big games. "So being with the under-21s will be a great experience and we will all be desperate to make the most of it." In what is a complex European Championship U21 qualifying system for 2011, ten group winners and the four best runners-up advance to a Final Tournament Play Off stage which will take place between the 9th and 13th of October 2010. The final tournament will then be played between the 12th and 25th June 2011.

Go to bed young man...........with no supper