Porteous won’t be the last to move up, says boss Gemmill

Scot Gemmill believes Ryan Porteous will not be the last member of his hard-working Scotland Under-21 squad to be poached by Steve Clarke.

Hibernian defender Porteous joined up with the full squad this week after Clarke’s side were hit by a raft of late call-offs ahead of their final Euro 2020 qualifiers with Cyprus and Kazakhstan.

But Gemmill – whose team take on Greece at Tynecastle tonight in their latest European Championship qualifier – believes the graft being put in by the rest of his youngsters this week is a sign they are determined to make their own step up to the senior team.

Scotland Under-21s – who drew 0-0 with the Czech Republic in their last game last month – could move clear at the top of Group D with a win in Gorgie and Gemmill said: “These players are learning as they go but at the same time have crucially formed an identity.

“They have a work ethic that gives them all the maximum chance to improve further towards their ambition to play for the Scotland national team.

“The fact we have conceded just one goal in our four games is a foundation the players can build on.

“For me as manager it also shows me that the players have the ability to gel as a group.”

“That can be a challenge at international level compared to club level, where you work together every day, but the players are showing me they are capable of this and are learning with each passing international break.

“Greece are also unbeaten in the campaign so far and have shown that they will be a real test for us.”

Ryan Porteous was called up by Steve Clarke from the U21s.