Read this crap.... For me this is a sackable offense ............................................... Scotland U19 boss Ricky Sbragia has come under fire for refusing to select Real Madrid teen Jack Harper - with the youngster’s father warning he could now play for Spain instead. The Scotland coach labelled Harper a “luxury player" when announcing his latest squad to face Austria, Italy and Croatia in the UEFA European Championship Elite Round on Tuesday, claiming he is looking for more height in the group. The squad are aiming to reach the European Championship Finals in Greece this summer but Sbragia claimed to be worried about the team having to “carry” the 19-year-old, who already stands at 6ft 1in, and has decided to pick a “physical side with runners”. His father, John, has told the Daily Record that Spain were quick to enquire about his son’s international status after being left out by Sbragia, and reckons Jack may have a decision to make in the near future about which country he represents. Jack was born in Malaga after his parents relocated to the Costa del Sol from Scotland 20 years ago. He joined Real as a 13-year-old and is now halfway through a new five-year contract with the European champions, having also represented Scotland at different youth levels in the past. John told the Record: “The day after Scotland announced the U19 squad, and Jack wasn’t included, Spain were on the phone asking about his position and international status. “Their national academy is just a few miles from Real Madrid’s own training ground, so they know about Jack because they watch his team often enough. “Jack wants to play for Scotland. I’m Scottish, so is his mum and the rest of the family. He is committed to Scotland, but if nothing is happening by the time he is 21 then he will have a decision to make because he has a life and a career to fulfil. Hopefully, it won’t come to that. 'Positives' “To describe Jack as a ‘luxury player’ is a bit harsh. The word ‘luxury’ is a bit strong, but I have no wish to verbally assassinate the Scotland coach. He probably wishes he could back track on his choice of words because I certainly don’t believe Jack is a lazy player. “He is not the type who will put in tackles all over the pitch and his game is more about passing and movement, but it’s better to let him do his talking on the football pitch. “There have been many positives for him this season with Real Madrid. He has played and scored in the youth elite level for the club in the Champions League and that has helped his confidence. He is still fighting for the league and a couple of other major trophies with the club between now and the end of the season. “He has still to fill out a bit, we appreciate that, but he’s already 6ft 1in and I know for a fact he will get there.” Of his decision to leave Harper out, former Sunderland boss Sbragia told newspapers in Scotland: "Our concentration is on the opening game with Austria and we've deliberately got more height in our squad. That's one of the reasons why Jack isn't in. “Unfortunately, I don't see enough of him in action. The last time he was with us, he did OK, but I wanted a little more impact. At Real Madrid he can float all over the place, which he does. But with us, he has to be more disciplined. "He's an exceptionally gifted lad but we can't carry him. He can be a luxury sometimes. In some cases, if it's going well, he can be a good luxury. And listen, Jack's time will come. "I've gone for a physical side and runners. Hopefully I'm proved right in Austria. It's purely a tactical decision." But dad John said that his son was disappointed to miss out on the games in Vienna. “Jack was surprised and gutted when he wasn’t included in the squad,” he said. “He was looking forward to the games, they had been pencilled in his calendar. “The banter had been flying in his dressing room at Real Madrid with other lads who were looking forward to representing Spain, Norway and Lithuania at the European Championships. However, Jack’s time will come.” Speaking later on Sky Sports News HQ, former Scotland boss Craig Brown backed Sbragia over Harper's exclusion, saying: “I respect Ricky Sbragia greatly. Now, the fact that the lad is not selected is highlighted principally because - he’s not played for Real Madrid, I want to emphasise – he’s been signed by Real Madrid. “He might never play for Real Madrid or he might be a world star but the point I’m trying to make is that the name of the club tends to hypnotise people and think that if you’re a Real Madrid signing you must be a better player than the Scottish players who are playing for Scottish clubs. Now, that is not necessarily the case.
I find it unbelievable that a good young player is rejected despite being talk cos he either can run enough or isn't tall enough This basically is the arguement over why kids at 10, 12, 14 are dropped and it's mad a national underage coach dates make it
Saw that earlier. The reason why he didn't include him is ridiculous. No idea if he's good enough talent wise though
Wasn't this kid put in Scotland squad last year two 18 year olds called up then suddenly this tosser decides he needs donkeys who can run all day for tournament To call a player a luxury player at u19 level shows all that's bad about our game and why we are so far behind
If he's talented enough for Real to be interested in him then surely Scotland should be including him in an U19 squad.
it is a case of me assuming just that given the absolute shambolic state of scottish football. the reality to this boy is that he's at a funny point in life. Is he going to be HG in scotland? is he too good to play there or is he destined to end up playing at celtic or rangers or whichever club comes in... Is he good enough to play in england ever? Is he the next pacheco... who knows... but the soctish coach really covered himself in glory by saying what he said. actually the boy is knid of irrelevant whether he was 5 foot 6 inch playing for aberdeen or pele does it matter.. the coach said as an under age coach he wants runners, he wans't impress cos a) he hasn't seen enough of him but then can say ar real he can float about for for him in his team he has to rigidly play one slot... this is madness surely. then the scottish senior manager has weighed in saying oh the lad hasn't played for real madrid... he's signed for them only... ehhhhh so only players considered were higher than 6' 1" and have to play for senrior sides then? Best quote of all ""He's an exceptionally gifted lad but we can't carry him. He can be a luxury sometimes. In some cases, if it's going well, he can be a good luxury." so an exceptionally gifted player is left out cos you can't "carry him" what kind of game are they trying to paly in this underage set up? Is this tony pulis talking or graham taylor or some 80s long ball wally? Best of luck scotaland i can see why you are in the doldrums. I can also see why england are so bad cos frankly most of our younger players all fit a type too... fast, athletic runners. England has not generated a gascoigne type in 20 years. Barkely is a big tall runner, he looks good on the ball but he's not tricky winger. Our own sterling and ibe are speed merchants. walcott, ox, townsend all runners. whilshire is the closest thing we've made. Paul scholes for me is the last player england generated what was a real player. we droppepd and caused him to retire of course then begged him to come back many times. Rooney is another physical brute, gerrard was a power player too. Beckahm didn't actually fit the athlete category and neither did mcamanaman. I can see why we are now looking at a total lack of talent and how a zola or bergkamp will never come through for england i nthe current set up.... I just see guys who coudl go run in the olympics (clyne, sahw, henderson and the list goes on)
To be fair, this isn't helped by most football fans either. You see how the Arsenal fans are split on Ozil or jumped on Arshavin when he was there. Look at half our Chelsea fans on Fabregas recently. A lot of the fans want to see blood guys and glory and don't appreciate the artisan part of the game. With the exception of Messi (who is lazy as **** but an absolute ball wizard), most English fans prefer the power of Ronaldo. Gerrard, Bale, Lampard all power players.
Who gives a flying **** about the Sweaties league and National side? Their kids are all too busy eating battered Mars Bars and swilling it down with Irn Bru and Buckfast, whilst playing on their consoles, to be bothered actually leaving the hoose and playing some togger.
