Young Perth goalkeeper Kyle Thomson is preparing to jet off with the national team.
The St Johnstone shot-stopper has, for the first time, been called up to the Scotland Under-16 squad.
Perth High School student Kyle (15) will travel to Cyprus later this month for a UEFA Development Tournament after impressing selectors.
Matches against Denmark, England and the host country await on February 21, February 23 and February 26 respectively.
Kyle has been a regular for Saints’ talented under-18 team this season.
Head of the club’s youth academy, Alistair Stevenson, said this was a very well-deserved call-up.
“This time he has got one of the spots and that is just fantastic,” Stevenson told the PA. “Going away with the squad to Cyprus will be great.
“They play against England, Denmark and Cyprus so I’m sure he will get one of the games.
“Kyle has been with us right from the start and he has always played up a year. He has a bright future, no doubt about it.
“He is very grounded and takes it all in his stride. He will make new team-mates and new friends.
“It will be great for him, he is so focused and he will definitely benefit from it.”
Kyle last year played a starring role in Saints’ CAS Cup final win against Motherwell - saving one penalty during the 90 minutes then two in the shootout - and has continued to impress since.
“He has stepped up to the under-18s now and is playing regularly,” Stevenson continued.
“He is giving away two years in that team but he is an important part of it. He is there all of the time.”
Stevenson added: “Kyle was a gymnast. A very good gymnast.
“He can kick the ball the length of the Astroturf and can bowl it into the other half with an overhead throw.
“Some first team goalkeepers can’t even do that. He just has an incredible build and coordination.
“He is built like a tank and a lot of the shoulder strength will probably be from the gymnastics he did early doors.
“He comes from a very supportive family. His grandad is a great supporter and comes to the games.”
Plenty of support will be on offer when Kyle and his Saints U18 team-mates take on Celtic in the semi-final of the Scottish Youth Cup on Friday, March 3 (7pm kick-off).
“They are really excited and I think we will get a good crowd,” Stevenson said.
“All of the academy teams will be down to watch and I’m sure the guys with the drum will come too.”
Kyle is the latest in a growing list of talented local goalkeepers climbing the footballing ladder.
Stevenson said: “It is a decent list of goalkeepers who have gone on to do well and, incredibly, a lot of them are from the Perth area.
“Ross Sinclair was obviously capped by the U21s, Craig Hepburn is from Perth and doing really well and we have a goalkeeper younger than Kyle who is from Scone.”
