At the end of this week Scotland Under-19s play the first of three international matches in Serbia ahead of their European Championship qualification campaign which starts in November.
Serbia are first up on Thursday before playing Ukraine a day later and then the final or a placing match on Monday.
The matches will be Donald Park’s first in charge of the team. Since joining the Scottish FA in 2009, Park has worked across the coach education programme and supported the national youth teams at various age levels.
He takes over from Ricky Sbragia who led the team in the European elite round earlier this year where they were defeated by Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary. Park is assisted by Gordon Marshall and Darren Jackson.
Hibs’ duo Ryan Porteous and Fraser Murray join Hearts pair Daniel Baur and Callum Morrison in the squad which includes a number of promising players who guided the under-17s to their fourth consecutive European finals earlier this year.
Glenn Middleton of Norwich, Jack Aitchison of Celtic and Jonny Mitchell of Falkirk are all included along with Zak Rudden who scored two goals in his last two games for the under-17s.
Head coach Donald Park said: “The boys have been great since meeting up and it’s an exciting few days for them.
“We’ve got two games in two days to start off which will allow us to use the squad and everyone will be involved across those two matches.
“The objectives for the upcoming games are for us to perfect our shape and make sure we play our style. We’ve got some very exciting players so we need to ensure we utilise them properly.
“I didn’t know the players before the trip which was a challenge in one sense but good in another as it means it’s a blank canvas for everyone.
“I’ve done a lot of research on them and there’s a lot of guys who have done well for the under-17s and are stepping up to the 19s. Hopefully they’ll do well at this stage.
“I’m enjoying being back on the training field coaching players. Coach education is wonderful and I love it bits but to be back leading a team is excellent and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”
International Tournament Fixtures
Thursday, 31 August 2017: Serbia v Scotland, kick-off 4pm (UK time) – City Stadium, Subotica
Friday, 1 September 2017: Scotland v Ukraine, kick-off 4pm (UK time) – Stadium FK Senta, Senta
Monday, 4 September 2017: Final or placing match, kick-off tbc – Stadium tbc
Scotland Under-19 Squad
Goalkeepers
Aidan McAdams (Rangers)
Kieran Wright (Rangers)
Defenders
Daniel Baur (Heart of Midlothian)
Robbie Deas (Celtic)
Jordan Houston (Rangers)
Lewis Mayo (Rangers) PS
Ryan Porteous Hibernian)
Stephen Welsh (Celtic)
Aidan Wilson (Rangers)
Midfielders
Jamie Barjonas (Rangers)
Charlie Gilmour (Arsenal)
Jordon Holsgrove (Reading)
Fraser Hornby (Everton)
Jonny Mitchell (Falkirk) PS
Forwards
Jack Aitchison (Celtic)
Glenn Middleton (Norwich)
Callum Morrison (Heart of Midlothian)
Fraser Murray (Hibernian)
Zak Rudden (Rangers) PS
Callum Smith (Dunfermline Athletic)
PS – denotes Scottish FA JD Performance School player
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
