Harry Fieldson credits Sunderland exit after Scotland Under-21 debut | OneFootball

Harry Fieldson has credited leaving Sunderland’s Academy of Light as one of the key factors in his rise to Scotland Under-21 level.

The 21-year-old played alongside Tommy Watson and Timur Tuterov in the Black Cats’ youth ranks and helped the Under-21s reach the Premier League 2 play-off final in 2024, which ended in a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

He left Wearside on a free to join Queen’s Park, his form earning a summer move to Premiership side St Mirren. Fieldson has started all but one of the Buddies’ league matches across the opening two months.

He marked his progress with a Scotland Under-21 debut in a 5-2 win over Azerbaijan in midweek, and he will hope to add a second cap when they face Bulgaria on Tuesday night.

“I'd encourage anyone to do that. It's the best thing you can do as a young player. Academy football can be false, in the sense that there is no real reason to win. I put a lot of emphasis on my years at Queen's Park and the position I'm in now. If I stayed at Sunderland, I truly believe I wouldn't be in this position.” He told The Scotsman.

“Moving away from home is such a good thing at a young age. It makes you grow up and mature. I massively love and respect Sunderland for the work they put in up until that point, but I knew I had hit my limit. To have this opportunity to represent my country is a massive thing. I'm really happy to do it.”

Source: Sunderland Echo

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