Captain’s role for Gilchrist

Feb 20 2009 by Alan Rennie, Stirling Observer Friday

STIRLING County’s Grant Gilchrist has been chosen to captain the Scotland under-19 side to play Italy on Sunday, March 1, at Lasswade.

The Scotland under-19 head coach Colin Robertson has been impressed by 18-year-old Gilchrist’s contribution in Stirling County’s engine room so far this season.

“Grant has been well established at both Scotland under-17 and under-18 level,” said Robertson.

“He has played in just about every game for Stirling County this season and he has done very well.

“He is well respected and he is a good player.”

Also in the squad for the Italy under-19 international is Grant’s club-mate Jason Hill.

Both are in the draft squad for tomorrow’s re-arranged cup-tie at Lenzie which will have a 2.30pm kick-off.

Ian Jardine doesn’t have a number of players available due to Scotland age-group commitments. In that category are Robbie McGowan, Danny Gilmour, Glenn Bryce and Stuart Edwards.

The County team will be as follows:–

Hope; Lindsay, Addison, Wilson or Auld, Aitken; Archibald, Calder; Davies, Moffat, Mountford, McFarlane, Gilchrist, Clarke, Eadie and Deacons.

One the bench will be Gordon McRorie, Mark Hunter, John Graham and either Kevin Bryce or Jason Hill. Only four replacements are allowed in cup games.

If County win, the fifth round tie is scheduled for Sunday, March 1, at Bridgehaugh against either Trinity Accies or Ellon.

County may ask their opponents to switch the tie to either the Friday night or early on the Saturday of the 3pm Scotland v Italy international.

Latest on County’s re-arranged fixtures: March 7 - Selkirk (away); March 14 - blank weekend due to Scotland Club International; March 21 - Hawick (away); and March 28 - Boroughmuir (home).