Neil Critchley had some fun with the teenage striker before breaking the news that he’d made the cut for Nations League playoff
James Wilson admits his head was left spinning after Neil Critchley went on the wind up over his first Scotland call up.
The teenage Hearts talent was a shock inclusion in Steve Clarke’ s squad for the crunch UEFA Nations League playoff showdown with Greece. The striker gets the nod just five days after celebrating his 18th birthday, and joins fellow Scottish Premiership rising star Lennon Miller as the notable inclusions – but Tynecastle skipper Lawrence Shankland was left out after seeing the goals dry up.
And Wilson revealed how boss Critchley had some fun with him before sharing the good news as he prepares to join teammate and veteran keeper Craig Gordon in meeting up with his international teammates after this Saturday’s home clash with Ross County.
“I found out this morning from the manager,” Wilson told Hearts TV. “He was kind of playing a little joke on me, telling me I had bad news and that, and then he broke the news to me and my head was spinning.
“I was just at training and I was just contemplating what’s happening, but I’m looking forward to it.
“I actually just spoke to him (Craig Gordon) just as we came in from training. He was saying that I might have to sing a song or something like that, but no, they’ll be a really good group. They’ll look after me, he’ll look after me, so it’s good.
“It’s just over a year ago now that I made my debut, and then really I’ve only started playing a lot of minutes in the last three, four months. It’s just been a crazy couple of months, I guess.
“Everyone tells you in football how quickly it changes, and I guess it’s been proven to me now. It’ll be just special, I guess. That’s what you dream of. That’s what every kid in this country is playing for and wants to do.
“I’m looking forward to it. Can’t wait.”