TWO promising Borders footballers have featured in Scotland’s under-15 side.
Robbie Renwick of Peebles and Newstead’s Mark Mathison were part of the 16-man squad which defeated travelling Australian team South Queensland Select 11-0 last month.
Mark and Robbie, both members of the Scottish FA/BSLT development squad in the Borders, were initially selected for a training session for under-15 boys at Toryglen in Glasgow.
Both Robbie, of Tynecastle FC in Edinburgh and Mark, who also plays in the capital with Cavalry Park FC, impressed selectors enough to be included in the side for the match with the Aussies. The pair played at the centre of defence for Scotland in the comfortable win, and both 14-year-olds hope to feature in the team in 2013.
The achievement is particularly impressive for Mark, who has suffered from Type 1 diabetes for the past four years.
Drew Kelly, SFA development officer, said: “I would like to congratulate Mark and Robbie for representing the Scottish Youth FA national squad at U15 age group.
“They were already selected for the SYFA south-east squad – along with Daniel Headspeath from Galashiels – but to reach national representative level is a great achievement and testament to their hard work, commitment and dedication.
“They played the whole match, anchoring the SYFA defence and did the Scottish Borders proud.”