I totally agree :008: :008: :008:
Christie backs Black for the future
Charlie Christie is disappointed that Inverness starlet Ian Black has been omitted from the Scotland Under-21 squad to face Slovenia.
The 21-year-old had been part of the Scotland Future team, which defeated Turkey at the Caledonian Stadium in March.
But, despite being overlooked for the European Under-21 Championship qualifier in a fortnight, the Caley boss has backed Black to feature at international level in the future.
Christie said: "I thought the biggest opportunity for one of our players getting involved with Scotland would be Ian Black being a part of the under-21 squad.
"I was slightly surprised that was not the case, but I am sure his time will come."
4 August 2006
BLACK SEES RED AT HIS SCOTS SNUB
By Euan Mcarthur
IAN BLACK last night blasted the decision to snub him for the latest Scotland Under-21 squad.
And the Inverness midfielder claimed he would have been picked had been at either half of the Old Firm.
Back in March, he was part of the Scotland Futures side that lost to Turkey in a friendly at the Caledonian Stadium and was thought to be knocking on Walter Smith's door for full national honours.
At 21, he is also still eligible for the Under-21s but there was no place for the former Blackburn starlet in either squad named this week.
Black, who is wanted by Dundee United, was hoping his Futures squad call-up would have helped him secure aplace with the Under-21s.
He said: "To not even have been in the equation makes me honestly think the reason is because I'm playing for Inverness.
"It's maybe not a big enough club in some eyes and it's maybe a bit far away for people to come up and watch us regularly.
"If I was playing at Celtic, Rangers, Hearts or Hibs then I think it would be a different story.
"The same thing happened with our keeper Mark Brown last season. Mark is one of the best keepers in the SPL and has hardly missed a game since coming here.
"But David Marshall was in one of the squads when he wasn't even playing for Celtic so it makes you wonder.
"It feels like a kick in the teeth not to have been included. I'm very disappointed. To have been part of the Futures Squad and to then not be in the Under-21 squad is a slap in the face.
"With no disrespect to the other young lads who are in the squad, I'm still only 21 and still available.
"I played 24 games last year for Inverness so I'm playing regular first-team football."