Scunthorpe United loanee Rory Mahady has received a call-up to the Scotland Under-21 squad for this month’s European Championship qualifiers – adding yet another twist to boss Andy Butler’s growing goalkeeping dilemma.
The 19-year-old, currently on loan from Leeds United, will join Scot Gemmill’s squad ahead of fixtures against Gibraltar (15 Nov) and Bulgaria (18 Nov) as the young Scots aim to reignite their qualifying campaign.
Mahady caught the eye with an assured display in the Iron’s narrow FA Cup defeat at League One side Blackpool at the weekend, but his international involvement comes at a challenging time for Butler, who has already had to shuffle his options between the sticks throughout a hectic schedule.
With Rory Watson recently recalled by York City and Maison Campbell still sidelined through injury, teenage stopper Kian Johnson could now be handed his first league start when Scunthorpe travel to Solihull Moors — unless the club decides to return to the market in search of what would be their fifth goalkeeper of the season.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s Under-21s sit fourth in their qualifying group with four points from four games, and Mahady will be hoping to help lift them up the table before returning to Glanford Park to continue his development.
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