THREE Alloa FC youngsters are preparing for the biggest game of their lives as they get set to star for Scotland schoolboys against England later this month.

Striker Scott Hynd, midfielder Michael Hardie and defender Lewis Wilson have all taken part in wins over Northern Ireland and Wales so far but they are now set for the opportunity of a lifetime as they travel to face the auld enemy at Ewood Park, the home of Blackburn Rovers, on April 11.

Kincardine native Hynd featured on the cover of the matchday programme for the Scot’s 5-1 triumph over Northern Ireland at New Douglas Park and for the 16-year-old schoolboy, the whole experience has been magical but he reckons the England match will be one to remember.

Hynd told Advertiser Sport, “The England game is the biggest game of my life so far, never looked forward to anything so much. Playing at Blackburn adds to everything in the best way possible with a capacity of 31,000 will easily make it the biggest stadium I’ll ever have played in so hopefully it’ll be a big crowd.

“Fans are really the best thing about being involved in football and one of the main reasons I want to make a career out of it. Walking in to seeing myself on the cover of an international programme was a huge surprise but is an absolute honour for me.

“It’s a great honour to be involved with Scotland and it makes you feel like a real player for how ever long you are away because of the good experience you gain and it has given me greater confidence to bring back to Alloa.

“I really hope it will help me push for a first team spot at Alloa and I can give the gaffer a problem in a good way on my part, since he has involved me a lot already and I’m very thankful for that.” Wasps left back prospect Lewis Wilson also hopes he can use the experience to develop as a player and has thoroughly enjoyed being involved at such a high level.

Wilson said, “I have enjoyed every minute of it. It is a really professional setup and we have a really good bunch of boys in the squad. Of course it helps when you are winning games and we are unbeaten so far so we go into the England game with no fears.

“It has been a brilliant experience to mix with players from SPFL Premiership clubs and hopefully I can use my time here to work on my own game. I am honoured just to have been part of the squad and to say I have played for my country at this level.

“It has been good to play in front of larger crowds than we are used to in reserve games so it was great to get that support. To play against England at Blackburn’s ground is an exciting prospect for us and hopefully the experience can stand me in good stead going forward at Alloa in trying to make a push for the first team.” Alloa boss Barry Smith says everyone at the club can be proud of the boys’ achievements and believes it is a sign that the future is bright at Recreation Park with young talent coming through thanks to the work of youth supremo Graeme Liveston (pictured right).

Smith added, “I think it is great for the three young lads to be involved with Scotland schoolboys and it is good for the club because it showcases a lot of the good work that goes on at the youth level within the club.

“Graeme Liveston works extremely hard and he has done a brilliant job with the youths coming through. It is a massive achievement for a club like Alloa to get three players into that squad.

“They have all been involved with the first team at some stage already and only time will tell when they are ready for a place in the team but one thing is certain that they all know they will get a chance here at Alloa.”