John Toner – Scotland U18 Cap

 Arbroath FC youth player, John Toner has been celebrating his call up to the National Squad.  John had been representing Angus in Dumfries and was on the coach on the journey home, when he was told that SFA selectors had been at the game and had been impressed by his play.  He received a letter inviting him to trials at Inverurie.  That went well and another letter arrived asking John to attend final trials at Stenhousemuir.  After another successful trial John received the letter notifying him that he had made the final squad.

John has had three matches to date, Hamilton in a warm-up match, then also at New Douglas Park, Australia were the visitors, with the young Scots running out 4-1 victors.  On Sunday 17^th February, while his Arbroath U19 team-mates were at Broadwood playing Clyde, John was in Jersey helping his Scotland team-mates defeat their hosts 4-0.

Preparations now turn to the Centenary Shield matches which will be played over the coming weeks.  On Thursday, after the programme went to print, Scotland entertained Northern Ireland at Love Street, and then have another home game, playing Wales at Tannadice.  After that there are two away games. Firstly a visit to the Republic of Ireland and the last game in the series, and possibly the highlight, will be a visit to the scene of last weeks Carling Cup Final, the new Wembley Stadium, to take on the Auld Enemy.

Head of Youth Development, John Reilly said, “Everyone at the club is delighted for John, it is a fantastic achievement.  It is an enormous honour to be chosen to represent your country at any level, in any sport and this should give all the boys the motivation to see what is possible for those who have the ability and the correct attitude.  It’s the first step on a long, long ladder and we all hope he goes out, enjoys the experience and performs well.”