Garry Kenneth: It would be so Swede to make 3 in a row

Sep 7 2008 By Scott Mcdermott

Euro 2009

SCOTLAND Under-21 star Garry Kenneth admits he would love to be part of an elite group of players to play at three major finals.

The big Dundee United defender is a key member of Billy Stark's squad who are on the verge of qualifying for the 2009 European Championships in Sweden.

Kenneth has already experienced the Under-19 Euro Finals in 2007 - when the Scots were pipped to the trophy by Spain - as well as last year's Under-20 World Cup in Canada.

And he's desperate to make it three in a row with arguably the most talented batch of youngsters we've had.

After the Under-21s' 3-1 midweek win over Slovenia they now face a door-die clash with Denmark on Tuesday night for a Euro 2009 play-off spot. And Kenneth, who scored against the Slovenians, is keen to make up for last summer's World Cup disappointment.

He said: "It would be massive to go to my third major tournament. Me and boys like Scott Cuthbert and Steven Fletcher were in Poland and Canada and it would be great to do it again.

"We'd like to try and make up for what happened at the World Cup but we have to get to Sweden first so all we can do is concentrate on Tuesday.

"I feel I've come on a lot since Canada. I've learned a lot under Craig Levein and playing with boys like Lee Wilkie and Darren Dods at United. They've been a huge help.

"With Scotland I have Billy Stark and Jim Fleeting who have also improved me.

"All the players in this squad have matured and developed - that's been important for us. Success with the national team helps when you go back to your clubs and vice versa. It means we're confident in the SPL and learning all the time at international level, facing different styles and players.

"Most of us are playing regularly for our clubs which is a huge boost. At the start of the campaign many of us were not and I include myself.

"But it shows when you come away with Scotland because we are that wee bit sharper than our opponents.

"The confidence has always been there but it shows even more now because we're all in our first teams."

The Under-21 Euro Championships have a complex qualifying system, with the 10 group winners and four best-placed runners-up all going into a two-legged play-off.

The seven play-off winners, along with hosts Sweden, will contest the Finals in June. If the Scots lose to Denmark they will probably finish third in their section behind the Danes and Finland.

A win could see them win the group while a draw could sneak them into the play-offs via second place.

But they will have to do the business on Tuesday without strike sensation Steven Fletcher who has been called into the senior squad for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier in Iceland.

Kenneth is hoping Fletcher will be back to partner Ross McCormack if they make the play-offs.

Garry said: "Having Steven in the side gave us a boost against Slovenia.

With strikers like Steven and Ross there's a chance of something special.

"Tuesday is a massive game now but if we get an early goal it will settle us.

We created a lot of chances against Denmark in the home game but did not take them and drew 0-0.

"We'll go there with confidence after our results. We won't fear any team in the draw if we get there."

SCOTLAND Under-21s know a victory over Denmark on Tuesday night will guarantee them a place in the Euro 2009 play-offs.

Billy Stark's side will qualify as group winners or one of four best-placed runners-up by adding three points.

Even a point may see them go into Friday's draw in Malmo.