Dad from Wick was 'nervous wreck' as Magnus helped Scots reach UEFA under-17 finals
A Wick man has admitted he was a "nervous wreck" watching from the stands as his son helped Scotland qualify for the finals of the UEFA Under-17 Championship.
Scott Mackenzie was speaking after 16-year-old Magnus played his part in securing the runners-up spot in Group 3 for the national team in the elite round stage of the tournament.
Magnus, a left-back at Celtic, featured in the starting line-up in all three of Scotland's matches played at the Falkirk Stadium from March 23-29.
The Scots, under head coach Brian McLaughlin, found themselves two goals down at half-time in their opening fixture against the Czech Republic but fought back to earn a 2-2 draw after a stoppage-time equaliser. They then lost 4-0 to Germany but bounced back with a 6-1 win against Georgia to book their place in the finals in Israel.
“They were third seeds in the group of four," explained Scott, a Glasgow-based architect. “They showed the Czech Republic a bit too much respect but they turned it around in the second half.
“Germany were a terrific team. The standard was exceptional – they didn't give the Scottish boys time to play at all.
“That's what our boys need to aspire to, to get to that level – all of them comfortable on the ball, all of them athletes. They knew the system that they needed to play. Every line of passing for Scotland was blocked by a German body.
“Although it was disappointing to be on the end of a battering, it was good to watch a team of that quality.
“That sets the benchmark, and in the finals over in Israel that's the level of team they're going to be playing against."
Magnus, who will be 17 in May, is a fifth-year pupil at Jordanhill School in Glasgow and is preparing for his Highers. He has been part of the Celtic youth set-up for almost five years.
Scott, who attended all three of Scotland's elite round games, revealed: "He was quite calm about the whole thing and looking forward to it, but I have to say I was an absolute nervous wreck.
"I'm usually all right but I think the pressure of representing your country in a competitive tournament, and the stakes being so high in terms of qualification, just kind of got to me."
Mum Kirsten was able to attend the matches against the Czechs and Georgia.
"She has convinced herself now that she is the lucky charm and I'm the jinx," Scott quipped.
He added: "After a couple of pretty miserable years, it's great they've got something to look forward to. They did extremely well.
"Snatching the draw with the Czech Republic in injury time made all the difference and it gave them a boost going forward. They certainly showed themselves to be competitive in the Czech game.
"Germany were just a step up in class – but I think Germany would batter almost anybody, the way they played."
Magnus now hopes to be selected in the squad for the finals, where Scotland will be the only one of the four home nations competing.
The Scots are among 15 teams that will progress from the elite round to join host nation Israel at the finals from May 16 to June 1. The draw will be made on Wednesday, April 6.
Magnus is a grandson of the late Ian and Marjory Mackenzie, of Smith Terrace, Wick, and has many relatives in Caithness.