Ewan Wilson's rise shows 'different pathways' to top level - Stuart Kettlewell
Wilson played for Scotland Under-21s last week
Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell feels Ewan Wilson's swift rise from the sixth tier of Scottish football to international recognition perfectly illustrates how different pathways can lead to success in the game.
The left-back was rewarded for his first-team breakthrough this season with a late call-up to the Scotland Under-21s and he made his debut off the bench against Spain before starting against Malta and creating the opening goal in a 5-0 qualifying win.
The 19-year-old saw a season-long loan with Stirling terminated in March after only managing six starts and he finished the season with Beith Juniors, winning the West of Scotland League Premier Division.
Wilson returned to Motherwell, grabbed a chance afforded to him by injuries in the Premier Sports Cup group stage, and has been an impressive performer in the top flight.
Kettlewell then received a call from Scotland Under-21s head coach Scot Gemmill asking him to release Wilson last week while the defender was playing in a training game.
"I was subbing him off and we had a 16-year-old that we were putting in the first-team session as his replacement," said Kettlewell, whose side travel to Aberdeen on Saturday.
"He's looking at me with that blank expression he's got, not sure why he's getting taken off the pitch.
"When we announced it to the group the rest of the boys were absolutely made-up for him because what a story. Getting sent back from a loan with Stirling Albion, going to Beith Juniors and then making your way through what's been a really good pre-season for him and then ultimately winding up starting a game for Scotland Under-21s and performing the way he did. It's just a brilliant story.
"There's different pathways. We had to build his confidence back up. Sometimes you need to build up your understanding of the game, you need to build up minutes and getting a wee bit of success there to build your confidence back up.
"That's exactly what we managed to do with Ewan and credit to the guys at Beith, they handled him really, really well. They were excellent for him.
"All of that's culminated in where he finds himself at this minute. A lot of that is confidence and just a better education, how you prepare as a pro to play in a game of football or even to train day to day."
Lennon Miller made his competitive debut for the under-21s in Malta and delivered a goal and two assists.
Kettlewell said: "I think everybody could see the quality that the two lads possessed and the confidence they're carrying, and I hope they bring even more back with them.
"And they should, based on the fact that there's goals and assists and a good level of performance and a different experience, in particular for Ewan, not coming through the youth national teams like Lennon.
"I thought it was a brilliant story as well that Max Johnston wanted to play for the 21s, that was unbelievable. Max isn't one of our guys now but obviously somebody I know well and this football club knows well, he played virtually every minute for me when I first came in and earned himself a move out to Austria.
"But that probably shows you the the mindset that he had a brilliant opportunity with the first team and then puts his hand up to say he wants to go and play for the 21s in Malta.
"It was nice for us to see three players that we know so well perform so well."
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