I went to primary school with one of my Scotland team-mates – then we made our international debuts together years later

Scottish Sun

15 hours ago

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JOSH DOIG and Andy Irving stood at the side of the pitch in Vaduz ready for their Scotland debuts.
And the substitutes had a knowing chuckle as they recalled their days at PRIMARY SCHOOL together.
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Josh Doig and Andy Irvine before the friendly against Iceland
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
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They were joined at the hip during the recent Scotland camp
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
The pair made their Scotland bows in Monday's 4-0 friendly win over Liechtenstein.
And Sassuolo full-back Doig, 23, admitted it felt surreal to be going on at the same time as one of his oldest pals in the professional game.
Doig said: 'Myself and Andy got the shout shortly after half-time against Liechtenstein.
'It was funny it was the two of us together because we're really close.
'I grew up with Andy all the way through primary school and we've been pals for ages.
'So to come on at the same time for our first caps, we were like, 'Oh my God!'. We didn't know what to say.
'Andy's two years older than me, but we grew up together. His dad and my dad are best friends. They played together at Edinburgh City and places like that.
'As well as being at Newcraighall Primary, we used to spend New Year together. So it was surreal for us to come on and make our Scotland debuts at the same time.
'It's a school with only about 100 pupils, which makes it even more crazy. It's a nice story for the school, as well as for Andy and me.
'I was buzzing for Andy as much as myself. We knew we had a job to do, obviously, but I was just thinking it was unbelievable.
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'You need to try to calm yourself down. We came on with the team 3-0 up, so it was a good time for a debut!
'I just wanted to go and perform, and I came out the blocks at 100 miles per hour.
'I was bursting with pride to just get on the pitch, finally, for my national team.
'After the game I was so happy I couldn't put into words how I felt.
'I was saying to some of the boys that you never know if you're going to get on and I'd been in a few squads before.
'My mum and dad weren't there — they were in Ibiza!
'They were at the Iceland game at Hampden on the Friday but they already had their holidays booked.
'They didn't know if I would play or not.
'I texted them right after Monday's game and they'd all been watching on television.
'My sister was there as well, so I'm delighted. They were all celebrating over there.
'I'll probably have to give my Scotland top to my mum and dad. I'm sure they'll put it up somewhere.'
Scotland player ratings
Ross Doohan - Scotland debut after dashing from a beach in Turkey over the weekend to answer Steve Clarke's keeper SOS. Could have played with his flip flops on. A trouble-free first cap 7
Anthony Ralston - Replaced Max Johnston to win his 21st cap and tasked with working the right-hand side along with Lewis Ferguson as Scotland tried to pick as many holes in the Liechtenstein defence 7
Scott McKenna - Not much to worry about defensively so biggest role came as someone Scotland tried to hit at corners. Nearly set up Jack Hendry in the first half but his partner nodded over 7
Jack Hendry - Comfort on the ball and range of passing helped the team build from the back and keep so much pressure on for the duration of the game. Rarely troubled in a defensive sense 7
Andy Robertson - Didn't have too much to worry about on the defensive side so was able to get high up the pitch and help John McGinn. Combined well with the Aston Villa star 6
Lennon Miller - Set up Adams' second with his pressing and stamped his authority on the entire game. Has a huge future ahead of him for the national team. First start of many 8
Billy Gilmour - Controlled the game from the middle of the park, knitting everything together between the defenders and attacking players. Just oozes class on the ball and makes the side tick 7
John McGinn - Wide left so dovetailed with Andy Robertson well down that flank. Denied a goal by a good first-half save from goalie Benjamin Buchel. Shot off the post just before the third 6
Lewis Ferguson - Deployed on the right-hand side of midfield and played a key role in keeping the Liechtensteiners penned in for most of the contest. A solid display from the Bologna man 7
George Hirst - Denied several times against Iceland but finally got off the mark with a neat back post finish early in the second half. Shown enough to suggest he's got something to offer 7
Che Adams - Slammed home the opener early on, then added a second in the 25th minute after Lennon Miller's pressure paid off. Headed home for his deserved hat-trick at the death 8
Subs: Josh Doig (Robertson 58) - Lively and had a couple of shots 4. Andy Irving (McGinn 58) - On for McGinn for first cap 4. Nathan Patterson (Ralston 67) - Second half sub 3. Tommy Conway (Hirst 67) - Set up Adams' 3rd 4. Connor Barron (Gilmour 76) - Another debut 3. Kieran Bowie (Ferguson 76) - First cap 3
The Scotland debut ended a great season for the former Hibs defender after his Italian side won Serie B to return to the top flight.
That will see him compete against Napoli's championship winners Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour, as well as Bologna's Coppa Italia-winning skipper Lewis Ferguson and Torino striker Che Adams next season.
He said: 'It's been mad with the ups and downs, but to get promoted at the end of it and to get capped now, it's been such a good season for me.
'It's the first trophy I've won with a team, so that's a first, and now I've got my first cap.
'I was bursting with pride to get it all done and now I need to focus on next season.
'We've already found out our first home game will be against the champions Napoli, so that will be a good one for us Scottish boys.
'Scott and Billy will be playing at our place and that's the kind of big game you want to play in.
'The Scottish boys have made a real impact out in Italy. We seem to thrive, which is a good thing for us.
'We've established a good reputation out there. Scotty and Billy are big names, Che's is doing well at Torino, Liam Henderson and Fergie are doing great as well.
'There are so many Scottish lads that are making their mark there.
'For young boys, it's a place you can look and see there's opportunities there.
'Aaron Hickey kicked it off and since then Scotland seems to be a good market for them to look to.
'When I first went over I spoke to Aaron. He said it was such a different lifestyle, but I'm absolutely loving it. I couldn't be happier.
'I've got a couple of weeks off before we go again, then it's straight back to work.
'I'm looking forward to going back to Sassuolo after our promotion.
'Doing well there will hopefully keep me in the Scotland squad. There are three national camps this year, so I want to push to get in.'
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