Gemmill backing Bates to make the grade in Albania

SCOT GEMMILL has assured the Tartan Army that David Bates won’t let them down if the defender is given his senior Scotland debut in Albania tomorrow night. The 22-year-old Hamburg centre-back has a huge chance of being thrown in at the deep end for the crucial Nations League clash in Shkoder following a string of injuries to key players. And Gemmill, who has blooded Bates in his Under-21s team, believes the ex-Rangers player’s experience of football in Bundesliga 2 will serve him well. ‘I think it’s often overlooked the level he’s playing at,’ he said. ‘His team aren’t in the top league in Germany but he’s still playing for a huge club in front of huge crowds. ‘It takes a real strong mentality to do that. It’s given him unbelievable experience and he’s shown he can handle moving country and club. ‘He’s consistently playing at a high level and did really well for the Under-21s, so it’s great to see another young player given a chance.’ Bates raised eyebrows when he quit Ibrox for Hamburg earlier this year but Gemmill believes that making such a life-changing decision says much about the player’s character. ‘Working with David and talking to him, he’s already a very grounded person with a good attitude and lives his life in the correct manner. He seems to be a very good professional,’ said Gemmill. Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday striker Fraser Preston, who is in Gemmill’s Under-20s squad for tomorrow night’s game with Turkey in Spain, has thanked recalled Scotland striker Steven Fletcher for helping him shape his game at Hillsborough. Preston, who has made his first-team breakthrough for the Owls this season with four appearances from the bench, is not surprised to see a rejuvenated Fletcher in Alex McLeish’s squad. ‘Fletch is a great guy,’ said the 19-year-old. ‘He’s down to earth and always speaks to us. He’s a good technical player. ‘He’s scored a lot of goals, so I look up to him in that way.’