Adams 'leading way' for Scottish black players - Iwelumo

Former Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo thinks it will be "a massive step forward" should Che Adams become the first black player to play for the nation's men's team at a World Cup. Iwelumo was himself a standard bearer when he earned four caps more than 15 years ago, but he never made it to a major finals. The 47-year-old recalls how he was the only black child at his school in Coatbridge and that, while a proud Scot, he would "find yourself liking other countries because you could relate, you could see that similarity". "I think it's a massive step forward, but the country is a very, a very different landscape to what it was when we were growing up," Iwelumo said of Adams' success for Scotland and Torino. "He's a fantastic character, excellent football player, deserves to be there exactly where he is, but he is representing and I think that's the way that we have to look at it. Albeit he won't really think of it like that, he is leading the way. "There are going to be young players coming through that are going to be representing. I don't think colour comes into it, you have to be good enough, but I want them to be given the opportunity. "I've got to say, I think I'm happy with the quality of players coming through. I'm excited about the future. I know it's small steps, but we are heading in the right direction." As for the possibility of Adams scoring in Saturday's World Cup group opener against Haiti, the former St Mirren, Stoke City, Colchester United, Charlton Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley and Watford added: "I think Che will get that goal and that will go down in history. "I'm getting hairs standing on end just thinking about it."