CLYDEBANK’S Michael Hardie defied medical advice to face England last week — and he is not looking back as Scotland’s under-18 schoolboys squad continue their quest for the Centenary Shield.

The 18-year-old midfielder picked up a hip injury as Scotland thrashed Wales 5-1 in Hamilton last month and was expected to miss the trip to take on the auld enemy at Ewood Park on Friday.

However, the Drumchapel High School pupil was determined to feature against England and played his part in a 1-1 draw that keeps Scotland in the hunt for Centenary Shield.

They head to Dublin later this month knowing victory against the Republic of Ireland will see them share the Shield with England and Hardie wants another piece of the action.

Hardie, who plays his club football for Alloa Athletic, said: “It was the best game I have played and the best experience I have had.

“The doctor said I would be out for six to eight weeks but I just strapped it up and played. Everybody said I played well so I must have done something right.

“Everybody wants to play against their rivals and for me — a young Scottish boy — I want to play even if I am injured.

“All the boys are confident — we have got that great spirit now. At the start when we all went to trials nobody had a clue who anybody was but now the spirit is just phenomenal.” Scotland endured a torrid campaign in 2013, losing all four games to finish bottom of the pile but this year there has been a drastic turnaround.

A last-gasp equaliser against Northern Ireland in their tournament opener sealed a 1-1 draw and set the tone and a dominant display against Wales followed.

Fellow Bankie, Jamie Henry, who attends Clydebank High School, is also in the unbeaten squad and he believes the draw with England is evidence Scotland deserve to share the Shield this year.

The youngster said: “Confidence is pretty high after getting a draw.

“I think if we lost that game we would have been going to Ireland up for the match but there wouldn’t have been much motivation there.

“Obviously stopping England winning the shield on Friday night was a great achievement. I think we deserve to share it.

“It was a hard game — a physical game — but it was a really good result. Not many Scotland teams go to England and get a result.

“It is a brilliant experience and a great tournament to play in — just the build-up to the games and the occasions is something special.

“It is always brilliant playing at international level, even if it is just under-18. It is great to represent your country.” TSB, proud partner of the Scottish Schools’ FA, is delighted to support the Scotland under-18 schoolboys squad for their 2014 Centenary Shield campaign. For all the latest squad news, visit scottishfa.co.uk/ssfa