Source: Team_Talk
Stark concerned for Saunders
Scotland U-21 manager Billy Stark admitted fears over an injury to Steven Saunders had tempered his enjoyment of a 3-0 win over Norway. The Motherwell defender was carried off on a stretcher with an Achilles injury after collapsing in a heap less than four minutes into the St Mirren Park clash.Motherwell manager Stuart McCall was at Paisley to watch his defender play but was soon in the treatment room trying to determine the extent of the damage.There are fears Saunders faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines and he was taken to hospital for a full diagnosis but Stark could not give a definitive answer immediately after the game."There is a fear but not being a medical person I wouldn't like to confirm anything," Stark said."When you get a player that goes down with nobody round about them then you always get a bad feeling."Our physio has taken him to hospital and been in contact with the club, we will know more later."That was a real downer for us at the start of the game. All the positives we take from the game will be tempered by Steven's injury, no doubt about that."The 20-year-old broke his leg while at Queen's Park as a youth and Stark is confident he will bounce back."Steven has been through a fair bit in his personal life and come through," Stark said. "He has had injuries as well. He is the type that will do everything required - he is a dedicated boy. It's just really unfortunate."The afternoon improved dramatically after the injury as Scotland produced an impressive display ahead of their UEFA qualifying campaign, which begins against Bulgaria in Paisley next month.Hull midfielder Tom Cairney finished off a superb team move in the 20th minute and Scotland went on to dominate the first half.Scotland sat deeper after the break but remained comfortable and Aberdeen full-back Ryan Jack and Dundee United midfielder Stuart Armstrong finished brilliantly as Scotland punished Norway on the break in the final 20 minutes.But Stark said: "The thing is not to get carried away. Scandinavians are always difficult opponents but the scoreline was maybe harsh on them."We scored two goals on a semi counter-attack and a counter-attack with Stuart. That can happen if you go pushing and leave yourself open. On another day Norway are capable of beating us."