Gemmill heaps praise on young team who battled to the death
SCOT GEMMILL last insisted his youngsters could hold their heads up high and will come on from the experience despite a pummelling from England ... even though they only narrowly lost.
Scotland were outclassed by a superb England team last night at Tynecastle – an England team who made 10 changes from their last game.
The young Scots somehow got away with a two-goal defeat, with goalkeeper Ross Doohan making several fine saves and the four-man defence standing up to wave after wave of Engllish attacks.
And Gemmill preferred to take the positives out of it.
He said: “It was a great experience for the players. To face players of that calibre at that speed is exactly what all of us want for our best young players.
“We don’t like to lose or concede goals, but that’s what they need – to see the speed of play and the different aspects of the game mentally, physically, tactically. It was great for them to have that.
“England are possibly the best team in the competition, possibly the best team in the world. But I want to speak about our young players and how well they’ve done.
“I hope the fans go home happy to see a team that showed a tactical discipline and intelligence and grit to play against a top team and still be in the game right till the death because of the work they’re willing to do.
“I think that’s the biggest credit you can give the players.
“You have to keep it in context. They are undoubtedly some of the best young players in the world, no question.
“However, you look at our young players there’s a lot to look forward to.
“The 2000s age group qualified for the Euros, they conceded one goal in qualification and qualified with maximum points. There is a lot of good young players who will come to the fore.”