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Goal Machine Recruited

STRANRAER goal machine Kevin Kyle has been recruited to spearhead his country's Far East tour by national football boss Berti Vogts.

The 20-year-old Sunderland striker received a phone call from Vogts on Saturday morning telling him that he had earned the cap chance after impressing in a recent B match.

Now an elated Kevin will fly east with the rest of the squad on Monday morning, eager to stake his claim for the forthcoming European Championship qualifying rounds which begin in the autumn.

The call-up highlights another rewarding season for the 6ft 4in striker who won the first of four under-21 caps less than two years ago.

Kevin's robust style of play saw him nab twelve goals this year to finish Sunderland Reserves' top scorer for the second year on the trot. And that direct style caught Vogts' eye in Scotland's recent friendly match which was against Dundee United.

Speaking to the "Free Press" immediately after his call-up to the full national squad, Kevin said

"This is unbelievable. To even think about playing for my country at the age of 20 is beyond my wildest dreams. But I can not wait.

"It was very good to get a start in the friendly against Dundee United the other week and I thought I did well. The manager told me I had played well.

"But to receive the phone call from Mr Berti Vogts on Saturday still came as a big surprise.