Gemmill calls on his Scots kids to get over their terrible threes phase against the Auld Enemy
SCOT GEMMILL admits Scotland’s habit of suffering a treble whammy against the Auld Enemy has to be halted.
The national Under-21 boss’s record of three successive three-goal defeats to England is one he’s desperate to eradicate at Tynecastle tonight.
Only pride is at stake in the Group Four dead rubber against Aidy Boothroyd’s side after our European Championship hopes were ended with a loss in Ukraine last Friday.
But Gemmill is adamant there’s plenty of incentive to keep the back door shut.
He said: “I’m very conscious of the last three games against England. If you compare those matches – the game in Toulon two years ago we didn’t do ourselves justice and were comfortably beaten.
“The game in Middlesbrough, there were parts where England were very dominant.
“But we had a good reaction to conceding goals and we ended the game strongly.
“And then the game this summer, the first-half performance from us was excellent and we were disappointed we couldn’t execute the gameplan for the full duration of the match.
“The players – a lot of them who are going to be involved at Tynecastle – really showed they can stand up to top opposition.
“We have achieved good results against top teams. And
England are top opposition – they haven’t lost for a long time at this level.
“Our players should be full of confidence because of the results they have achieved against France, Brazil and Holland for example. So there is a real opportunity to go and do it in a huge game.”
Last week’s 3-1 defeat in Kiev was a lesson in the consequences of conceding cheap goals and Gemmill insists it’s an issue that has to change.
He said: “In terms of disappointment I am fine. We spoke about not conceding goals so that was the real issue – the manner in which we conceded goals.
“You won’t be successful if you concede goals. In terms of the big picture and moving forward, playing England is a big sense of occasion.
“In terms of us it’s about moving forward but also trying to get UEFA coefficient points for next year’s draw. So every game is very important.”
Aberdeen midfielder Lewis Ferguson has been drafted into the squad and Gemmill has urged his side to grasp the opportunity of showcasing themselves.
He said: It’s a big occasion. Growing up watching these games, they were terrific.
“I would be reluctant to say the gap is closing because it could come back to bite you. We have to really be on our game.”