Celtic starlet Islam Feruz will be looking to add to his Victory Shield goal for Scotland’s Under-16s against Wales last month with another against England on Thursday night.
A victory for the young Scots over the Auld Enemy at Tynecastle would see them lift the trophy for the first time outright since 1998. Both countries sit joint top of their group with the same points going into the last game and a win for either would hand them the trophy. A draw however would see the pair share the honours, as they did before in 2003.
England have been consistent champions of the renowned youth competition since 2001, winning the last eight tournaments and only twice sharing with another of the Home Nations. Northern Ireland were the last team to win outright without England’s involvement in 2000.
First competed for in 1925, the Victory Shield is held yearly with Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland participating. Many professionals who went on to represent their country at full international level have taken part, including Kenny Dalglish, Gordon Strachan, Mark Hughes, Craig Bellamy, Norman Whiteside, Michael Owen, Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney
Feruz, 14, will be the focus of many attentions and will be dreaming of following in such famous footsteps after becoming the first player to take advantage of a new Fifa rule on international eligibility. The Somalian-born forward, who qualifies for Scotland because he has been schooled in the country for more than five years, has also represented his adopted country at U17 level.
He earned praise for his performance for the U16 side against Wales in October, scoring early on in a 1-0 victory. Chasing a defender down, he stole the ball away before calmly chipping advancing goalkeeper Christian Dibble with a goal that highlighted his confidence and talent.
Feruz is one of seven Celtic prospects in the 19-player Scotland squad, with Hearts, Rangers, St Mirren, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Kilmarnock and Aberdeen also represented.
He is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the country, having been snapped up by the Parkhead club when he was just 10 years old. Fans were given a glimpse of his potential when he turned out in the Tommy Burns tribute match in May 2009 when he was just 13 years old.
Hillhead High pupil Feruz, who has lived in Scotland for seven years, was spotted by Celtic scout John Simpson playing at Castlemilk sports centre four years ago.
Kick-off at Tynecastle Stadium, Edinburgh, on Thursday November 26 is at 7.40pm.
