Mark Ridgers is playing football with East Fife at the moment but could be playing on a bigger stage on Monday when Scotland meet the Netherlands at Under 21 level. The Hearts goalkeeper is out on loan in the Kingdom but looks set to to be given the nod for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier after regular first choice Grant Adam was dropped from the squad. Adam - who has started all three qualifiers so far - pled not guilty to an alleged sectarian breach of the peace this week. Manager Billy Stark is worried that he would not be in the right frame of mind for the game so asked him to withdraw from the squad. The game in Nijmegen is arguably the most difficult in the group against leaders Holland, who have a 100% record so far.
However, Ridgers insisted: "I think it's a good thing because these are the type of games you want to play in. If I want to further my football career, I want to play at the highest level against the highest opponent. It's an opportunity for me to showcase what I can do."
Ridgers was part of the East Fife side who stunned Aberdeen when they sent the SPL sidecrashing out of the Scottish Communities League Cup but he says a Scotland appearance would top that experience. He went on: "The cup tie is one of those moments I'll never forget but if I'm selected on Monday it will probably beat it. It will be the first time I've ever played for Scotland in an international game and as a wee boy growing up that's a big thing. It will be a great honour."
Scotland are second in Group 10 with five points from their opening three games - draws at home to Bulgaria and Austria and a win in Luxembourg.Ridgers said: " It will definitely be a difficult game but I don't see why we can't do something. I've already been involved in a cup shock this year and I don't think it would be as much of a shock if we do get a result. We've got a good enough team and boys playing at a decent level every week and that helps us. We would have liked to turn the home games into victories but we are up against difficult opposition. Any international games are difficult. These are the best players in their country at this age level so it's going to be difficult. If we get a win, we are right back in there so it's a good opportunity for us."