BUCKIE TEENAGER LEE HERBERT SELECTED FOR THE SCOTLAND U/18’S
CHRISTMAS presents are, traditionally, supposed to come from Santa but for one talented young Buckie goalkeeper it is the SFA who have handed over the perfect festive gift. Buckie Community High School student Lee Herbert (17) has been celebrating his call-up to the Scotland under-18 squad to face the other home nations in March and April next year. He will also be in the running to claim a spell between the sticks when the young Scots face Australia in January or February 2019. “It’s a great honour to be picked to represent the national team, I’m really chuffed,” he told the Advertiser. “It’s the perfect Christmas present, I guess. “There were two sets of trials to get through, both at Toryglen near Hampden. The first were with two lots of 33 boys and this was narrowed down to 36 boys and the squad was picked from this. “After getting to the North of Scotland Cup final with Buckie High last year I felt quite confident I was ready to take this step up. “I’m hoping I’ll get a chance to play at some point over the friendly and the Centenary Shield and it’s up to me to take the chance when it comes to me.” It has been something of a whirlwind year for Lee, who is in the squad for the North of Scotland Select and has been enjoying a run a Buckie Thistle’s number 1.
He continued: “I’ve only had the chance to play one game for the North Select, but the team have been doing really well. “We topped our group and we’ve got Dumfries and Galloway in the next round. “Playing for Buckie Thistle as often as I have been wasn’t in the plan originally, I was brought in as back up, but there’ve been so many injuries I’ve been given a chance. Spider [Jags manager Graeme Stewart] has been giving me lots of opportunities to play. “The HFL is physically very demanding, especially
as I’m not the tallest of keepers. The physicality has been the biggest thing I’ve noticed about stepping up. “I’m also up against a lot of experienced players who’ve been around the Highland League for many years, it’s all about adapting and keeping my focus for 90 minutes. There’s a lot more going on at HFL level and you have to really concentrate to avoid making a mistake. “It’s one of those things you have to do as a keeper is to stay focused even if there’s not a lot going on. “You could have nothing to do for 80 minutes of the
game but you’ve got to be ready for those 10 minutes of action. ” In a statement Buckie Thistle FC said: “The Jags are so proud…that goalkeeper Lee Herbert has been picked to represent Scotland at under-18 level. “We would like to congratulate Lee and his family and also Buckie High School on this incredible achievement.” At the time of writing Scotland are set to open their Centenary Shield account against the Auld Enemy in March, the date to be confirmed