A young Irvine footballer who impressed Chelsea star Billy Gilmour with his silky skills has been crowned Scotland's lockdown young player of the month.
Scott Lawson, 11, of Irvine Meadow, is one of 3000 youngsters who have been brushing up their football skills at home - thanks to free virtual training sessions backed by Scotland ace Gilmour.
Not-for-profit social enterprise Youth Football Scotland set up online resource Keep Scotland Active to support players and coaches hit by lockdown.
Every day, players earn points by logging on to the website, recording their home training activities and posting their videos.
The top ranked boy and girl scoop a Scottish Building Society Player of the Month award – with talented Scott winning the first boys award and Rachel Ramsay, 10, of Dundee United WFC & Dundee Sporting winning the girls' gong.
Social distancing meant trophies couldn’t be handed out in person.
But Scott got an unexpected surprise when fellow Ayrshire talent Gilmour took time out from pre-season training to record a special “well done” video message.
Robbie Forsyth, Director of Youth Football Scotland, said: “We have been overwhelmed at the response to Keep Scotland Active.
“It is great to see international stars such as Billy help inspire the 3000 youngsters who are taking part. So many young players across the country have put in an incredible effort but, in the month of May, Scott and Rachel really excelled.
“They have been working hard every single day coming up with all sorts of creative ideas to make their home training sessions fun and unique.
"They’ve been an inspiration to other young players across Scotland and should be very proud of their achievement.”
Scottish Building Society already sponsor the SWPL – and are continuing to do so in lockdown. Kerra McKinnie, Marketing Director, said: “We are delighted to be backing the first Player of the Month Awards.
"It is a wonderful initiative that keeps boys and girls connected and engaged while grassroots football is in lockdown.
“Congratulations to Scott and Rachel – and we look forward to the day when we can hand the awards to them in person.”
Young players can get involved with Keep Scotland Active by visiting keepscotlandactive.co.uk.
