Clarkson says young blood can get Scotland motoring

SCOTLAND new boy David Clarkson believes the introduction of young talent from outwith the Old Firm into the national side shows just how far the game in this country has come.

Motherwell striker Clarkson, nephew of tragic midfielder Phil O'Donnell, was handed his first call-up by George Burley for this Friday's friendly match against Czech Republic. Also named in the initial squad list were Hearts skipper Christophe Berra and Hibs striker Steven Fletcher, pictured, who was subsequently forced to pull out yesterday because of a niggling chest injury.

Jambos defender Lee Wallace is also in line for the step up to the national side over the coming months along with Clarkson's Motherwell team-mate Ross McCormack.

The emergence of so much young talent from outwith the Old Firm proves that you don't have to play for Celtic or Rangers to make it to the top, says 22-year-old Clarkson.

"It's great to see younger guys from teams like Hibs, Hearts and Motherwell coming through into the senior side," he added.

"There is a lot of young talent coming through right now and I think we will see more of that over the next couple of years as well.

"I think that we are progressing as a country and at club level too.

"A lot of people have said in the past that you have to be at Rangers or Celtic to get a call-up but I think the fact there are players from a number of teams coming through now shows how far we have come.

"The young boys are improving all the time and hopefully everyone involved will continue to get their chance at club level and for their country too."

Fletcher may have been forced out of the squad but Clarkson is a huge fan of the striker, even though they may be competing against one another for a place in the side in years to come.

He believes Fletcher is a massive talent and a player who has a future to match.

Clarkson said: "Steven Fletcher is a great player, he's another young boy and I am sure that he will do well no matter where he is playing, whether that be Hibs or elsewhere.

"He is a really good player and you can see why he has been linked with other club, I know there was talk of Real Madrid watching him.

"It seems like he has been around for a while because he was involved with the Hibs first team at such an early age.

"But I am sure that he will be around for even longer to come because he is such a great player. There will be things that he will want to improve in his game and I am sure that he will do that over the next few years and continue to progress in the way that he has so far."

Clarkson has been through the mill this season with the sudden death of his uncle and team-mate during Motherwell's SPL game against Dundee United at the turn of the year.

And he admitted that it was a welcome change to be able to finish the season with the high of receiving his first Scotland call-up.

He said: "It was very unexpected. First and foremost I wanted to perform well for the club, this was a big season for me and I knew that. The gaffer (former Hearts target Mark McGhee] has come in and changed things about and I feel that I have done well this season. Having said that, the last thing on my mind was being called up to the Scotland squad but it's great to be part of it and to be in the first-team squad.

"My family were delighted, it was something they were all delighted with but we will just take it one step at a time."

Adding of the turmoil that he, his family and the rest of his team-mates have been through over the past few months in the wake of O'Donnell's death, he continued: "It's a great way to end the season, the boys have had a long hard season and we have come through it.

"Some of the boys deserve their summer and a bit of a break but for me it is a great achievement to be called up to the first-team squad, I never thought that I would get it at such a young age.

"I am here just now and I will enjoy it while I am here and involved. Who knows what will happen in future at international level. I know that I have club football with Motherwell next season and that we will be playing in Europe, right now, though, I am involved with Scotland and will try to enjoy it as much as I can.

"For me it is just great to be here and training with guys like Christian Dailly and Gary Caldwell. They really look after you and help you. It's all a great experience.

"Who knows what will happen in the future, I am just delighted to be here, I am not expecting anything else. If I do play then it will be a bonus for me but I'm just enjoying being here, it's been a huge learning curve for me."

The young striker and his team-mates are still celebrating the fact that they pipped Hibs to a place in the UEFA Cup next season, just edging them out in the race for third spot in the final few matches of the campaign. The Easter Road side and the Steelmen were both praised for the passing game that they cultivated at the start of the season, although Well's efforts were hampered in the latter stages because of the condition of their playing surface.

The Fir Park pitch was out of action at one stage because of the number of games being played on it by both Motherwell and their tenants Gretna, and inclement weather conditions.

But Clarkson was delighted that his side were able to hold off the challenge from both Mixu Paatelainen's Hibs and Dundee United.

"At the start of the season we were playing great football, although obviously at that time the park was in a good condition as well.

"Tha gaffer changed things around a bit when the surface wasn't as good but the Hibs games showed that we can still get the ball down and pass it well.

"Hopefully, we can start off that way again next season and on a decent pitch as well. I'm sure the gaffer will be looking for the same style of football no doubt again next season.

"I have added a few more goals to my game this season – obviously when you are a striker you want to be scoring as many as possible but you have got to be playing well too. I think that everyone in the Motherwell side has done that this year and, from my point of view, it is just great to get on the scoresheet as many times as possible and I'm happy with the season that I have had.

"The manager has really turned everything around for us – as has Scott Leitch – they have done really well this season and things have been very different.

"Mark McGhee is great, being an ex-striker he has had all of the strikers out and working with them and giving them tips. That has helped my game and that of the rest of the strikers. We have come a long way compared to last season. He is great to work under and the boys all look forward to coming in to training in the mornings."