Fresh Start For O'Leary

Feb 3 2008 By Euan Mclean

RELIEVED Ryan O'Leary can't wait to resurrect his Scotland Under-21 career after a painful snub from former boss Maurice Malpas dented his confidence.

The Kilmarnock defender is delighted to be back on the Scots scene for this week's Vale do Tejo tournament in Portugal as part of new gaffer Billy Stark's first squad.

He is looking forward to facing the classy Portuguese on Tuesday and either Sweden or Ukraine the next day.

But O'Leary admits he would probably be watching Scotland's results on Teletext if Malpas was still in charge.

The Killie kid, 20, never received an explanation for suddenly being left out of the kids squad for a Euro 2009 qualifier against Lithuania last year.

And club manager Jim Jefferies publicly blasted the Scots coach for snubbing him in favour of kids with no SPL experience.

But with Malpas now at Swindon, Stark's arrival has handed O'Leary a chance he is desperate to grab with both hands.

Ryan said: "I had pulled out of one squad with a thigh injury and for the next couple after that I was surprised to be put on standby by Malpas.

"I'm not saying I should have been starting every game but I merited being part of the squad - so standby was a kick in the teeth.

"Malpas never got in touch or explained it so I wondered if I'd done something wrong or did he just not like me?

"It damaged my confidence so to have Billy Stark involving me in his first squad will give me some of that back.

"It's a relief to have a fresh start and the chance to impress another manager."

O'Leary is still striving for full match fitness after a calf injury ruled him out at Killie for a month. So he sees the trip to Portugal as a chance to get the game time he needs under his belt against topclass opposition.

The hosts will provide a huge test but Scotland got the better of them at the Under-19 European Championships.

They drew 2-2 with the Portuguese in the group stage then finished ahead of them to qualify for the knock-out stages.

The young Scots romped all the way to the final and O'Leary reckons that feat will make them fearless on Tuesday.

He added: "Portugal will be really good butwe have players who can match teams like that - as we have shown.

"There are a few boys from that great Under-19s team in this squad along with some more experienced players.

"So that can only help us give Portugal a test. It will be at the back of their minds Scotland have done well against them so they might be out for revenge."