Tommy Conway’s international career may still be in its nascent stages but the talented Middlesbrough striker is looking forward to a bright future in a Scotland environment he’s been made to feel very comfortable in.
The 22-year-old is averaging a goal every other game in the Championship so far this season, with his side very much in the promotion mix in sixth.
His connection with winger and fellow Scot Ben Doak, on loan in Teeside from Liverpool, is an exciting one for Steve Clarke who will be hoping the electricity the young duo provide for Michael Carrick can be translated to the international stage.
And Conway, who’s already picked up two caps from substitute appearances but is yet to score, is sure that the slick way he’s been settled into the national team camp means tangible numbers won’t be far away.
He said: “Ever since I walked through the door, I think the gaffer and the players and everyone, to be fair, has welcomed me, and I felt settled from the first day, to be honest.
“And I think that’s half the battle. I think once you feel settled, you ultimately end up playing your best football, and I’ve managed to take that onto the pitch, and, yeah, like you said, I’m scoring goals, and I’ll make that continue, hopefully, and hopefully I can now do it on the international stage as well.
“I don’t think I’d be getting called up if the manager didn’t think I would contribute something. I’m playing every week, and I’m enjoying my football, and I think as long as I’m doing it at club level, I always give the manager something to think about, and likewise, when I’m away and when I’m training, I’m always giving 100 per cent to try and get more minutes on the pitch, and ultimately have an effect when I come on as well.”
Conway’s combination with speedy attacker Doak has helped give Carrick’s team a new dimension as they aim to return to the financial promised land of the Premier League. Still just 18, the former Celtic prodigy causes massive problems with his pace and directness but still has plenty to learn from prolonged exposure to first team football. And despite being only four years older, that growth is something Conway is looking to help accelerate in his fresh-faced partner in crime.
Ben Doak (Image: SNS Group)He said: “I think since Doaky’s come in to the club, I’ve put my arm around him, I’ve looked after him for a bit, but to be fair, he’s took to it like duck to water.
“I can’t say enough about him. He’s like what he is on the pitch, off it as well. He’s electric, he’s always at it, the boy. Hopefully we can take that on to the international stage and cause carnage there as well.”
“I think people forget how young he is. He’s 19 on Monday, so even though I’m just 22 myself, I do feel myself putting my arm around him and making sure he’s all right, speaking to him during games and training and things like that. So yeah, it’s been good for me on that part as well.”
Doak’s pace and trickery on the ball has long been the stand out aspect of his game, even going back to whispered wonderment from his youth ranks showings at Celtic prior to his move south. As a striker, it’s mana from heaven to have such a teammate with such electric abilities.
“Yeah,” he nods. “Especially dribbling with the ball, when you’re just going at someone, you just know something’s going to happen. I think as a striker, that’s what you want.
“He’s going to chuck his stepovers in and get to the byline, get a crossing, something’s going to happen, which is good for me, because I know where I can plan my run or what I can do, show an option to him.
“But given his pace, if you give him some space, you know he’s going to be in. His pace and his skill are there to see. Like I said, he’s such a young boy and he’s still got so much to learn, but what he’s doing at the minute is a credit to him.
“He came back from the last two Scotland games and he’s full of confidence, as you can probably imagine. That’s one thing he’s never lacked, and he’s going away thinking he should start every game, which is credit to him, I think, as a footballer.
“You’ve got to think like that, within reason, obviously. But he came back and he was buzzing, starting for your country, as I’ve said before, it’s the pinnacle for anyone.
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“So to go away, especially against Croatia and Portugal, against two top sides, I think he definitely stood him in good stead and he’s come back and he’s done well as well.
While Conway and Doak stand out as exciting prospects, there are are others who Steve Clarke will be thinking about as he looks to reinvigorate Scotland after the failed Euros campaign in Germany. For Conway, there’s an exciting group champing at the bit to break through and make their mark on the big stage.
“I think you’ve seen it in recent camps. I think you’ve obviously got me, you’ve got Josh Doig, you’ve got Max Johnston, Connor Barron, obviously you’ve got Cieran Slicker, which I was buzzing that he’s been joined into this camp as well. I think they’re the ones ultimately at the minute.
“You’ve also got Lennon Miller. Obviously, he’s making a big name for himself this year. I’m happy about that because he’s a good player.
“Once I’ve gone away with the under-21s, I had one camp with him and that was enough for me to see that he’s good enough and he’s good at the level and it’s not surprised me that he’s kicked on this year.
“So I’d probably say him, but there’s loads of lads in that age group. that’s packed and I’d say the future’s definitely bright for Scotland, for sure.”
Conway will have to dislodge established strikers Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes and Lawrence Shankland if he’s to be part of this brave new dawn. And while none of the three has truly mad the no.9 role undisputedly their own, Conway points out that he and each of the others can add something unique to the attacking armoury.
“I think we all bring something different,” he admits. “Which is why all of us are ultimately in the squad and whatever the manager seems to think for that given match day and what he thinks the game plan to be, I think he’ll go off picking that player.
“I think we’re all in there for a reason, I think we all have strengths and weaknesses.
“I think he’ll go off that and I don’t think he sees it as someone’s better than the other. I think we’re all pushing each other for a start and if it gets on the pitch, we know we’re going to do well and put 100 per cent in.”
