Schoolboy James Wilson admitted his “head was spinning” after his Hearts manager stunned him with news of his first Scotland call-up.
The Balerno High School pupil has been named in Steve Clarke’s squad for the UEFA Nations League play-off double header against Greece after hitting six goals for Hearts this season.
The 18-year-old had not even featured in the Scotland Under-21 squad yet and the news – and Neil Critchley’s delivery – caught him by surprise.
Congratulations James, we are so proud! @JamTarts https://t.co/NgCXZjiJVM
— Balerno HT (@BalernoCHSHT) March 11, 2025
When asked to summarise his reaction, Wilson told Hearts TV: “Just surprise really. It’s a massive moment, I guess. I wasn’t really expecting it but I’m just looking forward to it.
“I found out from the manager. He was playing a little joke with me, telling me I had bad news and then he broke the news to me and my head was spinning. At training I was just contemplating what was happening. But I’m looking forward to it.”
This time last year, Wilson was starting on the bench for Scotland Under-19s.
“It’s just over a year ago that I have made my (Hearts) debut and really I have only started playing a lot of minutes in the last three or four months,” he said. “It’s just been a crazy, crazy couple of months.
“Everyone tells you in football how quickly it changes and I guess that’s been proven to me now.”
From an Academy graduate of one generation to the next🤝
Congratulations to Craig & James on their international call-ups🏴
When James was born in 2007, Craig had already made over 150 apperances for @JamTarts & had 19 international caps – yet today they're in the same squad🤯 https://t.co/3uW1OOMvgS pic.twitter.com/wHZgmIpHRz
— Hearts B & Academy (@WeeJambos) March 11, 2025
Wilson has been selected ahead of Hearts team-mate Lawrence Shankland but he will have the familiar face of 42-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon for support in his first Scotland camp. Wilson had not even been born when Gordon made his international debut.
“I spoke to him just as we came in from training. He was saying I might need to sing a song or something like that,” Wilson said. “But they will be a really good group, they will look after me, he will look after me.”
Clarke called up another 18-year-old in the shape of Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller, who has captained his club for a spell this season.
His club posted a video of the teenager finding out he was in the squad while looking at a colleague’s mobile phone on the training pitch.
The moment we all heard the good news 🎉
His teammates, coaches and friends are all pleased for him. @LennonMiller06 pic.twitter.com/UgJ4Q3aqqA
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) March 11, 2025
Miller, whose father Lee played for Scotland, said: “It’s brilliant. I never expected it, to be honest. I expected to be in the 21s. It’s a proud moment for me.
“I have been working hard here to try and play as well as I can for Motherwell and to get that recognition is brilliant.
“I still need to work hard for Motherwell and to keep my spot in that squad. I will keep my head down and work as hard as I can.”
