Ryan Oné earns latest international call-up as Sheffield United loan decision pays off
Sheffield United youngster Ryan Oné has been presented with another opportunity to prove himself on the international stage after earning his latest call-up for Scotland’s Under-21s.
Oné, who left Bramall Lane on loan in the January transfer window, joining Lincoln City, has been named in Scott Gemmill’s squad for his side’s European Championship qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Portugal later this month.
The 19-year-old, who has scored one goal in nine appearances for Scotland at U21s level, is fully worthy of his latest call-up to the international stage after impressing out on loan at Lincoln.
After Rotherham United pushed hard to try and sign Oné earlier in the January window, United made the decision to send him on loan to promotion-chasing Lincoln for the remainder of the campaign.
With just eight games of the season remaining, that is shaping up to be a very wise decision with Lincoln in pole position to win the League One title and secure promotion to the Championship. Fighting back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night, the Imps are now 21 league games unbeaten and 15 points clear of third-placed Bolton.
Although Oné, who was the subject of interest, according to United boss Chris Wilder, from three quarters of League One before moving to Lincoln, has not nailed down a regular staring berth at the LNER Stadium, he has contributed to their quest to win the League One crown, scoring three goals in eight appearances. He scored after coming off the bench against Plymouth Argyle and Blackpool either side of marking his full Lincoln debut with a goal against Northampton Town.
United have high hopes for Oné, who made seven appearances for the Blades prior to heading out on loan, and he is most certainly benefitting from his time at Lincoln, meaning he will now be hoping to make his mark for Scotland during the upcoming international break.
Six games into their qualifying campaign for next summer’s U21s European Championship, Scotland are currently second in Group B, three points behind table-toppers Portugal. They are scheduled to face Portugal on March 31.
After marking his Lincoln debut with a goal against Plymouth last month, Lincoln boss Michael Skubala said of Oné: “I really like the fact that all of our top line are chipping in. You only have to look at Ryan today. He took that goal and that’s not easy.
“Running from your halfway line with all that time is not an easy finish. People think that’s easy because he’s in with the keeper, but I think he’s a sensational talent. When he came in, he worked hard.”
As things currently stand, Oné, as a result of his latest Scotland call-up, is set to miss Lincoln’s trip to Doncaster Rovers on March 28. Lincoln have so far had two players called up for international duty and cannot put a request in to have a game postponed unless three players are called up by their countries.