Another Hibby success

[Greenman]

McNeil out to prove a winner at right end

By Our Sports Staff



ANDREW McNEIL knows that earning a clean sheet against the Czech Republic tonight could see his Scotland march into Saturday’s European Under-19 Championship final.
But even Archie Gemmill, his manager, may not be aware that the Hibernian goalkeeper could be a secret weapon at the other end — McNeil has already scored a winning goal in a cup final.



McNeil will have a crucial role to play as Gemmill’s last line of defence in tonight’s showpiece semi-final against Miroslav Soukup’s side in Grodzisk, Poland. However, the 19-year-old, who joined Hibernian from Southampton in January, is also an expert on punishing his opposite number, having collected the goal-hero tag during his school days.

“I was playing in goal for my school in the East of Scotland Shield Cup final,” McNeil said, “but the PE teacher who ran the team took me off and put me back on for the last ten minutes as a sub in central midfield.

“I scored the winning goal. It was a good finish. My only disappointment was that I couldn’t celebrate with my friends. It was the last day of school at Leith Academy and I had to go straight on a plane.

“It was quite sad, but I’d agreed to sign for Southampton and was going with their youths to the FA Cup Final against Arsenal and sitting inside the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was unbelievable and made up for it. It is great fun to score and I still wind some of my friends who play outfield up about it. I’m sure I won’t be needed here, though. I think the boys in the squad are good enough to do the job.”

Gemmill’s players have certainly proved McNeil’s point that they are good enough as they prepare for a semi-final in this tournament for the first time since 1986.

The Easter Road player believes that the quality of nations not involved in the last four says everything about the achievements of the Scottish youngsters in Poland.

“Although we all believed we could get this far, actually doing it is a different matter,” he said. “It’s great to be able to say that we are one of the best teams in Europe and that we are good enough to take on anyone. That’s a fantastic feeling.

“When you think of the quality of teams that didn’t even make it to this tournament — Germany, France, Holland, Italy, England — you realise what we did to qualify.

“Now Portugal have gone home from here and they’re a great footballing nation, so it is a massive boost and gives you a lot of confidence. It makes you aware of how good you are doing.”

Tony Mowbray, the Hibernian manager, will certainly be aware of McNeil’s form at these finals and the youngster hopes that he can earn a crack at first-team action if he continues to shine.

He said: “The players we are facing are different class, so this is a great place to be learning.”


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[stevieboi]

Originally Posted by Greenman

McNeil out to prove a winner at right end

By Our Sports Staff



ANDREW McNEIL knows that earning a clean sheet against the Czech Republic tonight could see his Scotland march into Saturday’s European Under-19 Championship final.
But even Archie Gemmill, his manager, may not be aware that the Hibernian goalkeeper could be a secret weapon at the other end — McNeil has already scored a winning goal in a cup final.



McNeil will have a crucial role to play as Gemmill’s last line of defence in tonight’s showpiece semi-final against Miroslav Soukup’s side in Grodzisk, Poland. However, the 19-year-old, who joined Hibernian from Southampton in January, is also an expert on punishing his opposite number, having collected the goal-hero tag during his school days.

“I was playing in goal for my school in the East of Scotland Shield Cup final,” McNeil said, “but the PE teacher who ran the team took me off and put me back on for the last ten minutes as a sub in central midfield.

“I scored the winning goal. It was a good finish. My only disappointment was that I couldn’t celebrate with my friends. It was the last day of school at Leith Academy and I had to go straight on a plane.

“It was quite sad, but I’d agreed to sign for Southampton and was going with their youths to the FA Cup Final against Arsenal and sitting inside the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was unbelievable and made up for it. It is great fun to score and I still wind some of my friends who play outfield up about it. I’m sure I won’t be needed here, though. I think the boys in the squad are good enough to do the job.”

Gemmill’s players have certainly proved McNeil’s point that they are good enough as they prepare for a semi-final in this tournament for the first time since 1986.

The Easter Road player believes that the quality of nations not involved in the last four says everything about the achievements of the Scottish youngsters in Poland.

“Although we all believed we could get this far, actually doing it is a different matter,” he said. “It’s great to be able to say that we are one of the best teams in Europe and that we are good enough to take on anyone. That’s a fantastic feeling.

“When you think of the quality of teams that didn’t even make it to this tournament — Germany, France, Holland, Italy, England — you realise what we did to qualify.

“Now Portugal have gone home from here and they’re a great footballing nation, so it is a massive boost and gives you a lot of confidence. It makes you aware of how good you are doing.”

Tony Mowbray, the Hibernian manager, will certainly be aware of McNeil’s form at these finals and the youngster hopes that he can earn a crack at first-team action if he continues to shine.

He said: “The players we are facing are different class, so this is a great place to be learning.”


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Sounds promosing, hopefully we will see him for ourselves this season, starting 29 th July

[Hibernator]

is the game on Eurosport?, I saw the match with Spain and we got whupped but McNeill wasn't at fault with any of the goals(4-0), Fletcher should have scored although he made up for it against Turkey, I could not find any broadcast for that game, can't help thinking if we were someone else it would be on Sky.

[beefy]

Originally Posted by Hibernator

is the game on Eurosport?, I saw the match with Spain and we got whupped but McNeill wasn't at fault with any of the goals(4-0), Fletcher should have scored although he made up for it against Turkey, I could not find any broadcast for that game, can't help thinking if we were someone else it would be on Sky.

Its on Eurosport 2