Under-21 call-up for McArthur

Feb 7 2008

HAMILTON midfielder James McArthur capped a fantastic season when he received a late call-up on Friday to join Scotland’s Under-21 squad in Portugal.

Although his involvement in new boss Billy Stark’s set-up may have been due to call-offs, McArthur insists he’s not there just to make up the numbers.

The 20-year-old was an unused substitute as the young Scots lost 2-1 to their Portuguese hosts in the eighth international Vale Do Tejo tournament in Lisbon, but had another chance to pull on the dark blue against Ukraine yesterday (Wednesday).

Speaking after Saturday’s clash at Aberdeen, when he was captain in place of suspended Alex Neil, McArthur said: “I want to go there, hopefully do well, and get another call-up.

“I just need to keep playing well and hopefully I’ll get some recognition. I’m happy that I’ve finally got it.

“Maybe it was because of people dropping out but as soon as you’re in you’ve got a chance to stay there.

“I’ve got that chance and so I’m happy with that. My mum and dad are so proud, and all of the boys are chuffed for me as well.”

McArthur was delighted with his side’s showing in Saturday’s 1-0 Scottish Cup fifth round defeat at Aberdeen.

The Dons progressed through to a quarter-final meeting with holders Celtic, but Accies received most of the plaudits.

The midfielder said: “That shows we can compete at this level.

“The full team competed well. I thought we won our battles and created chances. Their goalkeeper, Jamie Langfield, did really well to keep us out.

“I was really happy to be captain of Hamilton. It was an honour and a pleasure, but I think all of us were captains out there and led by example — every one of us.

“I thought we deserved something out of the game. That’s the most chances we’ve created in a game all season but unfortunately we’re out of the Cup.

“Hopefully next season we’ll be able to play against teams like Aberdeen on a regular basis.”

McArthur was full of praise for boss Billy Reid and reckons he got his tactics spot-on at Pittodrie.

He said: “There are different games for different players and I think on Saturday it suited me to be the holding midfielder, rather than attacking.

“I think the gaffer got it right by playing Simon Mensing as centre-back — I think he got everything right today.

“It was a good experience for me and the rest of the boys. That’s the level we want to be at next year.

“We want to keep playing well in the First Division and winning, and hopefully if we make the step-up we’ll be able to put in performances like that.

“I think it gives the lads a bit of confidence to show that we can make the step-up because we all want to play games like that.”

McArthur knows Saturday’s visit by Dunfermline starts a crucial period against three of the First Division’s top five sides, with clashes against St Johnstone and Livingston to follow.

Hehe said: “We’ve got three massive games coming up but we’re just going into them with a determination to win.”

l Midfield team-mate James McCarthy featured in Republic of Ireland Under-19s’ 1-0 home defeat by Czech Republic on Tuesday and may play in the return today (Thursday).