Scottish Hockey Union: Scottish Hockey today released the men’s squad who will contest the Celtic Cup in Edinburgh next weekend, including two seasoned campaigners who will receive their 100th caps during the competition.
David Ralph (Kelburne) and Olympian Graham Dunlop (Greaves Clydesdale) are both set to join the select band of Scotland’s men who have hit the hundred mark. All being well, David will mark his century in Saturday’s match against Wales while Graham must wait until Sunday for the match against Ireland.
Following the men’s training camp in Germany last weekend, the biggest headache for the management team was narrowing the Scottish Institute of Sport-supported squad to 18 for this tournament.
"Leipzig not only gave us a chance to play against quality opposition ahead of the Europeans but it also gave our physio the opportunity to work with squad and in some cases, complete their rehab. The whole squad is in good shape, there is not one of the 23 players we had in Leipzig who couldn’t take to the pitch this weekend." team manager Eugene Connolly said.
The squad selected blends valuable international experience with some great new talent. Douglas Simpson (Western Wildcats) who missed the trip to Germany due to work commitments, rejoins the squad while Kelburne’s Michael Christie returns after his U18 European success.
Christie is emerging as a hot property in Scottish hockey and is described by Connolly as one of the most exciting prospects he’s seen in a long time.
The team is looking forward to playing in Edinburgh for the first time since the World Cup Qualifiers in 2001 and this time they have only one aim – to take the title.
The men will also play two games against France immediately after the Celtic Cup at Peffermill (Monday, 19:30) and Meadowmill (Tuesday, 11:00) and the five players who were included in the squad in Leipzig but are not named for the Celtic Cup will be given their chance to shine.
Selection for the European Championships will be made following the French series and Connolly is keen to stress that nothing should be read into this weekend’s team selections.
"All 23 players have strong claims on European places and every one of them is still in with a shout," he said.
Scotland play their first Celtic Cup match against France at 18:00 on Friday 22 July.
Scotland Men
Craig Harper 16 Caps
Mike Leonard 103 Caps
Graham Dunlop 97 Caps
Allan Dick 6 Caps
Stephen Dick 16 Caps
Jonathan Christie 42 Caps
Michael Christie 9 Caps
Chris Nelson 17 Caps
Mark Ralph 57 Caps
Niall Stott 43 Caps
Kris Kane 47 Caps
Dave Mansouri 8 Caps
Vishal Marwaha 107 Caps
David Mitchell 51 Caps
Andrew Sewnauth 42 Caps
Douglas Simpson 9 Caps
Graham Moodie 46 Caps
David Ralph 98 Caps
Management Team
Coach: Mathias Ahrens (Scottish Institute of Sport)
Assistant Coach: Callum McLeod
Team Manager: Eugene Connolly
Videographer: Tom Johnson
Physiotherapist: Juliet Wickham
Match Schedule
Friday 22 July: Scotland v France, 18:00
Saturday 23 July: Scotland v Wales, 16:00
Sunday 24 July: Scotland v Ireland, 16:00
