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Published 09 June 2025 4 min read
Men's U21

Alex Scott looks back on his Young Lions highlights

Written by:

Holly Hunt

The MU21s international looks back on his best bits before heading out to Slovakia for this summer's tournament

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If anybody knows what it's like to be crowned a European champion, it's England men's under-21s international Alex Scott.

The midfielder, who won the U19 EURO title with the Young Lions in 2022, is heading back out to Slovakia this summer with the aim of lifting another trophy with his country.

But before the UEFA U21 EURO Finals get underway, the 21 year old takes a look back on some of his highlights in an England shirt.

The road to the U19 EUROs

It was my first tournament with England coming up. We had a few years together as an age group. We were excited to go out there and enjoy ourselves and we won the tournament in the end. It was a great experience and I still say to this day, probably the best time of my life.

I was just excited and raring to go. I remember being in all the camps leading up to it so I had a good idea that hopefully I was going to get picked.

That age group we had, some of the lads are still with us now in this age group. It was such a tight group and we almost knew going into that, we had a pretty good chance of winning it just by how tight we were as a group and the games we played together and the results we had going into the tournament. We were feeling confident.

A winning start

It's a tough one because the first game is always the most important. At the time, when you’re there, you’re not really thinking about it too much and it's just another game for England but as the group games go by and you get further in, it hits home that you’re about to play in a semi-final or a final for your country.

I was on the bench and came on in this game. It was 1-0 when I came on and it was about going on and ruffling a few feathers and staying composed on the ball but getting scrappy if you need to. I came on and Alfie Devine scored and that settled everything.

It’s just important to get the first win, especially at a major tournament like that. It’s important to get the first one on the board and that’s very important for us as well going into this one is easing nerves.

Two from two

I’m just reading the caption now – Carney [Chukwuemeka] and Dane [Scarlett] must’ve been good that game! I think those two both scored in that game. They’re two top players and two lads I was very close to – giving them a little shout out. I played next to Carney in midfield, so we had a great relationship on the pitch and off the pitch as well. 

It was the second game and to win that again and it was almost confirmed that we were through at that point was massive.

The group we had, it was one of the best groups I’ve ever played in so. We had two from two so I was just happy. I think we were unbeaten for quite a while in that period so the group we had was full of confidence.

Final bound

That was crazy. I was disappointed to be on the bench but that’s part and parcel of playing for anyone. To do it in a tournament, I was more than happy to do that. Every player has got to play their part in the team and if you want success, you need players that are happy to do that and have that sort of impact.

To come on and scoring that goal, it was one of my first touches in the semi-final. That pretty much got us back into the game and we went on to score again so that was nice.

The one there on my knees at the end is a bit of relief actually. I got booked when I came on and right at the end of the game, I’ve flown into a tackle just wanting the whistle to go, I got the ball but I got a bit of the man as well. I heard the whistle go and I thought, ‘I could be getting sent off here’ but luckily, it was the final whistle!

The crowning of the European champions

We called our family and stuff on the pitch and we got our photos taken. Then it was back to the hotel and we had a little party in the hotel, so it was a brilliant day – one of the best I’ve ever experienced and probably the best in my football career as well.

My family and friends back home were tuning into every game, wishing me good luck and texting me. The general public in Guernsey were jumping on it as well and getting quite involved and sending messages of good luck so that was nice as well.

It was nice to have that backing from where I grew up and where I’m from. I’ll never forget the days where I was playing local football there and now to be playing for England is almost like two different sides to the spectrum.

First impressions

It was Azerbaijan away. It was tough because we travelled pretty far to Azerbaijan and I think the pitch wasn’t great. We had all these different factors and the lads went out and did the job they did and won it quite comfortably.

To come on for my debut, it was one I was waiting for, for a long time and pushing for and thankfully, I got the call from Cars [Lee Carsley] and the rest of the staff here to come on the pitch.

Coming on for Harvey [Elliott] as well who’s a top, top player – I’ve been watching him for years and it feels like he’s been around for so long now – and he’s someone I’m close with off the pitch as well, it was a good moment.

Return to Ashton Gate

That was really special. To go back there [to Bristol City’s Ashton Gate] for the first time to play since I left was a really good feeling and the fans gave me a great reception which I was grateful for.

It’s a club that means so much to me and my family as well. I’ll never forget the days and what they did for us. It was amazing to go back there and get that support.

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