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Defender earns first U19 caps

2024-02-26T16:00:00.000Z

CAMPBELL ON SCOTLAND DUTY AND LIFE IN BURNLEY

Defender earns first U19 caps

2024-02-26T16:00:00.000Z

CAMPBELL EARNS UEFA EURO 2024 ELITE ROUND SPOT - Image 1

Academy defender Murray Campbell believes his time away with Scotland U19s was a beneficial experience that will stand him in good stead for the rest of the season.

The 17-year-old spent a week in Croatia with the young Scots earlier this month, as they prepare for the UEFA Euro 2024 Elite Round tournament in March.

It was the first time Campbell, who joined Burnley from Scottish Premier League outfit St Mirren in September 2023, has been involved with Billy Stark’s U19s group.

Having previously represented the U17s on seven occasions, the youngster (pictured back left in both team photos) played the entirety of a 1-0 defeat to Turkey before banking another 90 minutes in a 4-0 victory over Latvia.

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On the experience, Campbell said: “I really enjoyed it. Being my first time with the U19s, I was happy to play 90 minutes in both games.

“It was a big step up in quality from the U17s, with a lot more aggression amongst bigger boys.

“Getting used to playing at different levels and with different players is always beneficial, and I found the whole time away to be a good experience.”

Playing above his age group is something that Campbell is used to, having been in and around the first-team setup at St Mirren when he was just 15 years old.

Since moving to Lancashire, he has predominantly played for Andy Farrell’s Burnley U21s side at centre-back, making his Clarets debut in a 4-3 Premier League Cup victory over Leicester City in September.

“I’ve enjoyed playing up with the U21s this season a lot”, he said.

“I wouldn’t say any particular parts of my game have improved - just the overall skill of being a defender.

“Faz (Andy Farrell) has helped me a lot with knowing where to be and when to be there, and we’ve also been working on my heading and range of passing.”

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Moving countries can be a challenge for any player, particularly when they are young. However, Campbell explained that the Club’s support system and staff mean he has settled in well.

“I’ve found it reasonably easy moving away from home because everybody’s made me feel so welcome.

“My digs parents have been great with me and I’m living with Jon Ander (Vilar Robinson) from the U18s. I’m mates with all the boys, too.”

Scotland U19s will compete in the Elite Round in Italy at the end of March, and have been drawn alongside Czech Republic, Georgia and Italy in Group 5.

It’s a tournament that Campbell would love to be involved in, but he knows he will face stiff competition.

“Hopefully I can keep playing for Burnley U21s and, if I’m doing well, be called up by Scotland again”, he said.

“I’d be delighted if that were to happen, so I’ll keep working hard for my chance.”