Scots make cap check on Toon young gun Andy

[Scottish Mag 3]

Newcastle United young gun Andy Carroll has caught the eye of Scotland after continuing his rapid development in a black-and-white shirt.

 

The Gateshead-born 18-year-old scored last night for the reserves in the 2-1 defeat against Everton in Widnes but was being scouted by Scottish Under-21 coach Archie Knox.

 

Geordie striker Carroll is thought to be eligible to play for both the Scots and England due to his family roots and has come on leaps and bounds.

 

Carroll has bagged goals at Academy and Reserve level this term as well as being one of the stars of Joe Joyce and Kenny Wharton's junior side that reached the last four of the FA Youth Cup.

 

In a season to remember, Carroll also became United's youngest European debutant at the tender age of just 17 years and 300 days during the 1-0 UEFA Cup win over Palermo in Sicily.

 

Last month he also picked up the Wor Jackie award at the Sport Newcastle dinner.

 

And there is a distinct possibility that Carroll may add to his four first-team appearances before the season is out, especially with £17m star Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi still on the sidelines and United's Premiership goal drought stretching to 380 minutes.

 

Scotland senior boss Walter Smith, Ally McCoist and Knox are committed to a long term re-building programme with the national side north of the border but England have already shown an interest in former Joseph Swan School pupil Carroll.

 

The 16-goal striker is still classed as an Under-18, yet with Scotland and England both having European qualifiers at Under-19 level next month, there is a possibility he could cap his season off with a taste of international football.

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Scotland senior boss Walter Smith, Ally McCoist and Knox are committed to a long term re-building programme with the national side north of the border but England have already shown an interest in former Joseph Swan School pupil Carroll.

 

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