Euro Vision

Wallace Duffy believes that international experience will help domestically for him and his Hoops team-mates.

WALLACE Duffy is well aware of the huge challenge facing Scotland as they target a place in the UEFA U19 European Championships finals.

The young Scots will go head-to-head with hosts Germany, the Netherlands and Norway in the elite round later this month, with only the group winners guaranteed passage to the last-eight of the tournament in Finland.

But Donald Park’s side go into the competition on the back of impressive wins over Austria and Spain last month, with Duffy and his Celtic Youth Academy colleagues, Stephen Welsh, Robbie Deas, Kerr McInroy and Jack Aitchison all playing starring roles.

And the defender told the View that, despite the calibre of the opposition, the national team must be looking to top the section.

“We played the two games away in Spain, where we won 3-2 over Austria and beat Denmark 1-0 so it was two good wins going into the qualifiers this month,” he said in an exclusive interview. “Hopefully I can get into the team again and we can get out of the group – but it will be tough.

“We have Germany, Netherlands and Norway in the group and only one goes through, along with the five second-best places. We are looking to win the group but we know it will be a challenge against top teams and top players.”

Although the squad has to be announced for the three fixtures, which will take place in Germany between March 21 and 28, Duffy is hopeful of being involved, having featured in every squad for the U19s during the current campaign.

And he believes his international experiences not only improve his development as a player but give him greater confidence when he returns to club duties.