Inverness Caledonian Thistle head coach Billy Dodds calls for international recognition for on-loan Norwich City midfielder Reece McAlear
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Billy Dodds expressed his surprise that Reece McAlear has not been included in the Scotland under-21 squad after the midfielder's wonderstrike for Caley Thistle against Dunfermline.
The 20-year-old on-loan Norwich City man opened the scoring in what would eventually be a 2–0 win over the Pars in spectacular fashion, picking out the top corner with a little help from the woodwork first time from the corner of the box.
McAlear has been involved in Scotland age group squads before, representing his country at under-16, under-17 and under-18 level, but has not been included in Scot Gemmill's squad for the current set of international matches.
After his impressive display for the Caley Jags, then, head coach Dodds backed the youngster to make an impact at the next age group up, saying there is no doubting his ability.
“I’m actually angry because I cannot believe the boy hasn’t had a sniff of the under-21s," Dodds stressed.
“I’m not here to do Scot Gemmell’s job, but I’m telling you, the boy has been in the team and scored some wonder goals. He is consistent every week and he’s not even in the squad.
“I’m astounded by that. I don't know why he isn’t in the squad. I don’t know if the homework has been done.
“I just think he is a top quality player, intelligent. He is only 20 and he can’t get near that team, when he has been consistently playing first team football and scoring unbelievable goals.
“He’s played for Motherwell and gets a big move to Norwich who paid a lot of money for him. He should be in the team, from what I’m seeing this week and knowing what he could bring – I’m astounded."
McAlear found he was in and out of the starting 11 in the early part of the season, but with injuries to Roddy MacGregor and Scott Allardice he has been given the opportunity to become a mainstay in the side – and that chance is one he has grasped with both hands, growing in stature with each passing week in the middle of the park.
“He’s in the gym all the time," Dodds added.
"Kirk Broadfoot takes him under his wing. Broaders is religious when it comes to the gym and a lot of young boys follow suit.
“(McAlear is) quite a slight boy, but strong. I’m just gutted for him he’s not in the under-21 squad.”
