The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Johnston’s flying start no surprise
Scotland Under-21s head coach Scot Gemmill is not surprised by Mikey Johnston’s flying start to the season.
Gemmill feels the Celtic winger’s progress is more evidence of an increasing professionalism in Scotland’s young players after the 20-year-old employed a fitness coach during his summer break.
Johnston has been named in Gemmill’s latest squad after netting three goals in six games and starting in European qualifiers for Celtic.
Gemmill has welcomed Johnston’s form.
“I’m certainly not surprised by it from working with Mikey,” he said. “Mikey had to wait a long time for his chance to come and play for the national teams.
“There was a time when he wasn’t selected for the younger age groups, I think he was 16 and 17, and a lot of his peers were being selected.
“No one ever doubted his ability, he just needed a little bit more time physically. And he has now shown that he can be trusted to play in these big games so the credit has to go to his club and to himself.”
Johnston employed a sports scientist during his short summer break after Lennon commented on him suffering cramp during both the Scottish Cup and Scottish FA Youth Cup finals at Hampden.
Gemmill said: “There has undoubtedly in my opinion been a huge improvement in the mentality of the best young players.
“I have been lucky enough to work with the national youth teams possibly close to 10 years now and there’s been a real surge in professionalism and that determination to go and improve and realisation that it’s not enough to just turn up, train, go home and play your game.
Gemmill named six uncapped players for the start of Scotland’s latest European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign, which kicks off with games against San Marino and Croatia early next month.
Rangers goalkeeper Kieran Wright, Reading defender Tom McIntyre, Hamilton midfielder Lewis Smith, Motherwell striker James Scott, Aberdeen forward Conor McLennan have been called up along with Rangers midfielder Stephen Kelly, who has played six games on loan with Ayr this season.
But there is no place for the likes of Jake Hastie, who made his second Rangers appearance since his summer move from Motherwell during Sunday’s Betfred Cup win over East Fife.