Source: Team_Talk
Wotherspoon ready for qualifiers
Scotland Under-21 midfielder David Wotherspoon is ready to embark upon another bid to qualify for the finals of the European Championships.[LNB] Billy Stark's youngsters failed to reach the 2011 finals in Denmark when they lost to Iceland in a two-legged play-off last month.[LNB]For many of the young Scots, that was their last chance to play in the finals of a tournament which take place every two years.[LNB]However, the Hibernian player remains in the new-look squad which will begin the build-up to another qualification campaign with a friendly against Northern Ireland at Firhill on Wednesday night.[LNB]Wotherspoon said: "I have been with the Under-21s for over a year. I'm 20 and I could have another two years left with the way things work.[LNB]"It was a great experience for all of us going that far in the last campaign and it was very unlucky that we didn't get through.[LNB]"It's always good to play for your national team and I am looking forward to Wednesday.[LNB]"All the boys want to be the best of their age and playing for your national team shows you are in that class."[LNB]Wotherspoon was part of the Hibs side which shocked Scottish Premier League champions Rangers with a 3-0 win at Ibrox last week.[LNB]However, he was the only change to Colin Calderwood's side for the visit of Motherwell on Saturday and had to watch as his replacement, Derek Riordan, scored both goals in the 2-1 win.[LNB]Wotherspoon, though, admits he could hardly complain.[LNB]He said: "The gaffer pulled me aside at training on Friday and gave me reasons why he didn't want to play me.[LNB]"I totally understood what he was trying to say to me and I had to take it on the chin.[LNB]"The gaffer made the right decision in putting Derek Riordan back in because he showed his class and got the two goals and nearly scored a third with a tremendous volley.[LNB]"Obviously (when Riordan scored twice) I was thinking, 'here we go, I'm not going to get back in' but I will keep working hard and hopefully I will get back in.[LNB]"We have this game on Wednesday and hopefully I can get a game then.[LNB]"Getting that result against Rangers was tremendous, especially at Ibrox where they hadn't lost a game for ages.[LNB]"Our confidence had been quite low but that gave it a massive boost and getting another win against Motherwell has set us up so hopefully we can carry it on at the weekend against Inverness."[LNB]Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
