You often forget just how young players are who represent Scotland at international level. Even when considering the Under 21 side, there are a number of players who need a great deal of guidance and encouragement to carry out what will be expected of them as they progress in their career. Ahead of their away game against the Netherlands on Monday, the under 21 squad and coaches met with the media at their base of the Beardmore Hotel in Clydebank. There were several calls on their time, with the official squad photo call, different TV companies set up for one-to-one interviews, and the inevitable promo shots for the SFA websites that will have the latest information on the game. This must be a chore for the players as they just want to play football. The SFA of course are keen that they gain maximum positive coverage in the media and encourage players on how to behave in front of the media. It is too easy to forget that a throw away line or attitude can be twisted to negative effect as the mood of the media takes it.
Post team photo-call, at least one player was 'encouraged' to change his mind about not taking part in some training in the pool. Another was having a mini-strop about 'why do I have to talk to Sky?'. He was reminded that, as his career moves on and if he moves to the Premiership, part of his contract will include the need to speak to the press and Sky. On Friday he was on SFA time and was committed to being polite in front of the cameras, sit up straight, be interested in the questions, avoid one word answers and to spit out his gum ahead of being in front of the camera. One friendly journalist was keen to tell the player that this was the time to practice his skills as there will be others more than happy to try to trip him up to get a headline. This finishing school aspect of support from the SFA will be echoed within the players clubs as they are helping the players develop and not just in football terms. There will be times when there will be negative stories in the press as the players grow up. Hopefully, they will remember the people and the training they had access to in the early parts of their career.
Source: FOOTYMAD
