BOSS WANTS TO FAST TRACK YOUNGSTERS

SCOTLAND U/21 boss Scot Gemmill believes fasttracking players at the Toulon Tournament could be crucial for the long-term development of the country’s top young talent.

G e m m i l l ’s squad contains two 16-year-olds – Billy Gilmour of Chelsea and Hearts defender Chris Hamilton – and 18-yearolds such as Everton’s Fraser Hornby, Rangers midfielder Glenn Middleton and Elliott Watt of Wolves.

S ev e n o f G e m m i l l ’s squad played at the tournament l a s t y e a r, including West Brom’s Oli Burke and Kilmarnock leftback Greg Taylor, who got the winner against Brazil.

“There’s a real mix in the squad from players who have established themselves in first teams and some young players who have a big opportunity to show they can play at this l evel,” Gemmill said.

“We have to really think about and have a strategy in terms of how we develop our best players.

“There’s not a one fit for all across the board. There will be cases where young players who have particularly big potential and everyone unanimously agrees in connection with the clubs, then it makes sense that some players are fast-tracked.

“It has got to be done in connection t o what i s happening at their clubs. There is no point in us fasttracking players to play at higher age levels if their clubs are not doing that as well.”