FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Matt Elliott, one of the rising stars of the Scotland national squad, had a confession to make when he was first named in the squad for the friendly against France last year. The highly-rated Leicester star admitted to the nation’s press that he had only been to Scotland once in his life—and that was on a school trip as a 10-year-old. The 29-year-old shaven-headed central defender was born and brought up in in London but qualifies for Scotland because of his grandmother.

His career began slowly starting out at non-league Epsom and Ewell before he moved to Charlton in 1988. Disillusioned at not securing a first-team place, he crawled around the lower leagues for the next eight years, playing for Torquay, Scunthorpe and then Oxford before arriving in the Premiership with Leicester.

Elliott settled in quickly and became a fixture in Martin O’Neill’s side as they clinched a place in Europe by winning the League Cup and he has since become a target for England’s leading clubs. Oxford manager Denis Smith, who made a huge profit when he sold Elliott to Leicester 1.7 million pounds (2.7 million dollars) after buying him from Scunthorpe four years ago for 170,000 pounds, believes Scotland have captured a gem.

Smith said: “I have been telling people for the past three years that if Elliott was Dutch he would be in their international team.” He is 6ft 4ins and weighs in around 14 ½ stone, yet he is very comfortable on the ball for such a big lad. “Matt has always had the ability. He likes to play the ball out of defence, that’s his strength.”I think he’s made a good decision in opting for Scotland. England still have this stereotype of a big centre back being only good for clearing and heading the ball. “Matt’s got those qualities as well and weighs in with a few goals every season. But his game is not based on power in the air.” Smith added: “The Scots will like what they see. Matt won’t be overawed in that company. He is very level-headed. “The only surprise is that it has taken him so long to get this far. I am sure he will take his chance if he is given it.”