Scotland U17 call-up for Celtic youth with Wick family links
A talented young footballer with Caithness family connections has been called up for Scotland's UEFA Under-17 Championship qualifiers.
Magnus Mackenzie (16), a left-back at Celtic, was named in the national squad for a series of elite round matches this month against the Czech Republic, Germany and Georgia.
“It's fantastic – I hope he does himself justice," said Magnus's dad, Scott Mackenzie, from Wick.
Magnus is a grandson of the late Ian and Marjory Mackenzie, of Smith Terrace, Wick, and has many relatives in the county.
Scott, a Glasgow-based architect, feels that the Scotland recognition is a reward for the commitment his son has shown.
“He's got stamina – he can run for days," Scott said. "It makes me tired just watching him, to be honest.
“Those are the demands of a modern full-back. He is very athletic, as they have to be.
“He was in and about the Scotland set-up before Covid hit, and then of course that put everything on hold.
“He was selected for the Scotland squad in autumn last year but he had an injury at the time so had to withdraw. Then he played a couple of friendly games against England for Scotland last month.
“So that's him now injury free, Covid hopefully past, and getting integrated into the squad. Hopefully things will settle down now and he'll be able to push on from here.
“He has always just wanted to be a footballer, since he was about four or five years old.
“Natural talent gets you so far, but there has been a huge amount of hard work and dedication on his part.
“When you're a teenage boy there are all these other pressures and influences – it needs a certain mindset and really strong dedication.”
Magnus, who will be 17 in May, has been part of the Celtic youth set-up for almost five years.
Scott said: “There were scouts sniffing around for about a year. He tried different clubs.
“Rangers had offered him a place, Partick Thistle had offered him a place, and Hamilton were interested at the time.
"He trained with all of them and played a few games with Thistle and with Rangers. Latterly he decided that Celtic was the place for him.”
Magnus attends Jordanhill School in Glasgow and is gearing up for his Highers. He has an older sister, Edith (18), a student, and two younger brothers, Murdo (13) and Ranulf (10).
Mum Kirsten, originally from Edinburgh, is also an architect.
Scott (52) is a Wick Academy supporter and Magnus was a mascot for the team a couple of times when he was growing up.
"I've dragged my bairns the length and breadth of the country watching Wick Academy," Scott added.
The SFA is playing host to the final stage of qualifying in the UEFA Under-17 Championship before the finals in Israel.
Scotland U17s, under head coach Brian McLaughlin, will play all three of their elite round games at the Falkirk Stadium – against the Czech Republic on March 23, Germany on March 26 and Georgia on March 29.