Strength in depth gives Gemmill’s side chance of Euro play-off spot

Scotland Under-21 head coach Scot Gemmill believes their qualification push is testament to the strength in depth in the country’s youth ranks.

Gemmill has lost Scott McKenna, John Souttar and Oli McBurnie to Alex McLeish’s full squad since the European Under-21 Championship campaign started, while Chris Cadden and Lewis Morgan have also been capped before rejoining his squad.

But Scotland remain in the qualifying mix ahead of their final two group games against Ukraine and England – they sit on 14 points with Ukraine behind England ahead of Friday’s encounter against their closest rivals in Kiev.

With a potential play-off spot up for grabs, Gemmill said: “It shows we really have some promising players coming through. Getting the opportunity is the first bit but they have to take it and they have come up with some big results.

“It’s important to say there have been disappointing results as well but we have two really big games to come and everybody can look forward to them.

“It’s great to be involved in games that really matter.”

Former Stirling Albion manager Stuart McLaren has been appointed as the new coach of the Scotland Under-16 side.

The 43-year-old, who was in charge of the Binos between November 2014 and September 2016, had recently been a coach and education and development manager for the Scottish FA.

McLaren will take charge of the teenagers in next month’s Victory Shield campaign.

He said: “It’s something I’m going to relish being involved in.”