Inside Tommy Conway’s Scotland late call-up decision as striker’s data analysed

TOMMY CONWAY’S big break came at the expense of Lyndon Dykes and Ben Doak.

The Scotland under-21 was drafted into Steve Clarke’s senior squad for this week’s final friendly with Finland, before the squad is signed sealed and delivered and the plane passengers confirmed for Germany.

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The Bristol City striker is in line for a quick-fire debut at Hampden just days after his rapid promotion and Tartan Army striking heroes at a premium.

Currently, only Lawrence Shankland and Che Adams are available up front after injury swept the squad and narrowed down Steve Clarke‘s options for the opener against host nation Germany next Friday.

Lyndon Dykes was carried out of training at the City Stadium and ruled out last week – followed days later by Liverpool wonderkid Doak.

Now Conway is on the brink of adding his name to the ‘Mannschaft’ manifest as an untried wildcard.

And his place on the plane is justified, according to those who have assessed the striker’s raw data.

Scot Gemmill gave Conway a round out on Monday in a 2-1 defeat to Turkey, before his step up was confirmed.

Nabbing a goal in that game was the icing on the cake for Conway and Gemmill says there’s no fears over his capability.

“Tommy is a player with really high potential but he’s reached that point now where it’s no longer about potential, it’s actually about delivering. That’s the challenge he faces after being called into the full squad. But what he’s shown is that he’s worthy of the opportunity.

“If you check his CV he’s played 39 games this year and 30 odd the year before at a very good level in the Championship. He had a couple of seasons prior to that when he was in and around the first team when he was really young.

“So the pathway and the progression has been there over a sustained period. With us, he’s played seven games and scored three goals. During that time – in the games and in training – he’s really impressed with his level of finishing.

“Not only is his finishing impressive but so too is his decision making.”

But that’s at under-21 level.

And though he’s shown he can cut it at the same domestic standard as Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams, analysis says he’s also ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with the senior squad too.

Gemmill told the Daily Record: “Tommy’s data – in terms of total distance covered, high speed running, acceleration and max speed – is very impressive when compared to other players of his age.

“There is no place to hide for the young players in that regard but Tommy’s numbers really stack up. That shows me he has the physical capacity to do it.

“We played Turkey on Monday night and Tommy was up against an Ajax defender worth €5m. So the level of competition he’s been playing against is really high and he’s competing with them physically. He’s used to playing against that kind of defender at club level.”

Steve Clarke will be hopeful no further injuries damage his selection with the squad to be handed in to Uefa in a matter of hours.

But he did ready the rest of Gemmill’s players as standby players – just incase.

The coach added: “We have Max Johnston and Connor Barron in the squad. They know anything can still happen and it’s very important that they are prepared if that opportunity comes. They all know anything can happen in football.”

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