Scott ‘on top of world’ after Euros win
‘He's on top of the world,’ said Noel Scott and, yes, why would young Alex Scott, his son, not be?
On Friday night the 18-year-old became a European champion as the England Under-19s defeated a fine Israel side 3-1 after extra-time in Slovakia.
The Guernsey youngster, who three years ago was only poised to start training with the St Martin’s Priaulx team and Guernsey FC, played 73 minutes of a tight final in which the Israelis deservedly led at half-time.
Even though a yellow card diminished the Sarnian’s influence and played a significant role in his substitution with the score at 1-1, he enjoyed a superb tournament which he began on the bench and then forced his way into the side with the quality of his performance.
‘I’m very chuffed for him… buzzing for him,’ said the player’s father who turned down requests to watch the final with friends to instead quietly watch it at home.
‘I wanted to watch it and be able to analyse and concentrate on it. We [the family] are so excited for him and you can’t get the grin off our faces.
‘I thought he grew into the game, but I thought the yellow card cost him. He took it for the team to be fair after a teammate’s mistake. After that he couldn’t really tackle.
‘He has had better games, but he did well and it was 32 degrees. He has had a great tournament.’
Noel Scott paid tribute to the gallant losers who were sunk very late on by England’s third.
‘Israel are a very good side and played really well in the first half.’
Soon after the final whistle Noel was getting texts from his son to say he was ‘on top of the world’.
And why not?
As Bristol City Academy director Brian Tinnion succinctly put it: ‘Signed from Guernsey at 16, Championship debut at 17, European champion at 18. Not a bad two years for Alex Scott.’
That tweeted message certainly struck a chord with Noel Scott.
‘When I saw that tweet it really hit home.’
