17 year old Jack McGrath was a real standout for Scotland under-19s in the March international break. We recently profiled why there is such excitement that he is one of the hottest teenage prospects in Europe. Until McGrath is capped in a competitive full international, he remains eligible for Scotland & England. He has represented both countries at age group level. Below we use McGrath’s performances for the U19s, to add to our previous argument, that Steve Clarke should select him for the Scotland World Cup squad.
It would be an exaggeration to claim that our previous Jack McGrath article, predicted he would deliver the outstanding Scotland performance of the latest international break. It is though fair to state that it can be argued with conviction, that McGrath delivered the most eye-catching performance in that break. As per that profile of McGrath a few days ago, the Aston Villa wonderkid shining was no surprise.
McGrath v Italy & Ireland
In the 1st of Scotland u19s’ games in the break, McGrath’s 1st appearance was as a 66th-minute sub v Italy. He then started the 2nd game, 3-3 draw with the Republic of Ireland. This is when McGrath demonstrated he is perfectly capable at international level, of emulating his track record at club level for assists. Receiving a 2nd-half short corner, he turned and took a couple of touches while progressing a few steps along the touchline. He then flicked a right-foot cross to the near post for Tommy North to head home.
McGrath v Poland
It was though in the 3rd game, 3-0 win v Poland, in which McGrath really made his mark. With Scotland kicking off, Joseph Teasdale was fed the ball down the left-hand side. Teasdale then squared the ball to McGrath. With 5 Poles around him, McGrath shot home from 13 yards with his 1st touch of the game. The Scots were a goal ahead after 13 seconds. Poland had yet to touch the ball. McGrath exhibited that like his reputation for assists, his reputation for scoring is deserved.
Further, McGrath added to his assists tally by also notching 1 in this game. 34 minutes into the game, McGrath controlled the ball with his 1st touch of this attack, to bypass a wrong-footed Polish defender. Driving in from the left wing, he squared for Alexander Smith to shoot home from 8 yards. 2-0 Scotland.
In the 58th minute, McGrath latched on to a loose ball from a dispossessed Polish player, to drive into the box from the inside-left channel. He then fed Archie Traynor further ahead. Traynor cut the ball back teeing up McGrath in an excellent shooting position. McGrath with impressive unselfishness left the ball, likely on hearing a shout from teammate Smith. Smith’s 1st-time left-foot shot from near the penalty spot rattled off the crossbar.
Note again McGrath’s unselfishness. He will be well aware from the likes of this article that he is rated among Europe’s very best teenage prospects. He is an excellent ball striker. So much so, he is building a reputation as a free kick specialist. Note again the superb shooting position he was in, in which he was perfectly entitled to go for goal. The grounded McGrath though both put the team 1st and trusted his teammate on hearing the shout to leave the ball. If setting the right example is indeed the most important aspect of leadership, maybe Jack McGrath is also captaincy material.
Should Steve Clarke look at Jack McGrath?
Prodigious talents like McGrath don’t come along every day. He has represented both Scotland & England at age group level. Until he plays in a competitive full international, he is eligible for both countries. Should McGrath wish to commit himself to Scotland, that talent should be rewarded with a taste of World Cup football.
Doom and gloom merchants may predict the decline of Scottish international football. This website in contrast, feels there’s talent coming through the ranks at age-group level, and the future looks bright. McGrath is amongst those talents and seems a likely mainstay for years to come should he continue to progress for Scotland.
