Soccer: Basalaj to trial in Scotland

New Zealand U-20 goalkeeper Scott Basalaj will leave for Scotland tomorrow to trial with Scottish Premier League club Patrick Thistle. Photo / Getty Images.

New Zealand under-20 goalkeeper Scott Basalaj will leave for Scotland tomorrow to trial with Scottish Premier League club Patrick Thistle.

Basalaj, 19, is a member of the Wellington Phoenix Football School of Excellence but heads to Scotland with the blessing of head coach Ernie Merrick, who said it was satisfying to see young players getting such opportunities.

"I have watched Scott at training over the past five weeks and been impressed by him," Merrick said.

"It is a tough road but he has a chance because he has the attributes to go all the way."

The offer to train and trial with Thistle came through Scott Allison who twice visited Basalaj's Lower Hutt City club while scouting for Glasgow Rangers.

Allison was keen to take the young keeper to Rangers, but the club's money troubles prevented it from signing players and Basalaj had to stay home.

With a second chance beckoning Basalaj, who has played for New Zealand at the under-17 and under-20 World Cups, is raring to go and believes his time with the Phoenix will stand him in good stead.

"To train in a professional environment and be part of a couple of match days has been huge," Basalaj said.

"It has given me confidence and I won't be shy going into that type of environment over there."

Basalaj comes off the Lower Hutt City production line and the keeper is grateful to the club.

"Lower Hutt have been really supportive and given me lots of opportunities," he said.
"Playing in two World Cups has also been fantastic and given me the incentive to go further in football."