The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Meekison caps fine season with United
Scot Gemmill has hailed Dundee United starlet Archie Meekison for handling the expectation and pressure of a fraught race for Europe.
Meekison, 20, came into the United side at a pivotal point in the campaign, featuring in their final five games of the season and starting four of those.
He was a standout in all of those outings, holding his own against Rangers and Celtic before rattling the post against Ross County.
Indeed, Meekison played a key role as the Tangerines sealed continental qualification and, once that was assured, cemented fourth place in the Premiership for the first time since 2013-14.
His progress did not go unnoticed, with Gemmill naming Meekison in his Scotland Under-21 squad to face Belgium (June 5) and Denmark (June 10) along with fellow
United ace Ross Graham. Dundee duo Harry Sharp and Josh Mulligan have also been named in Gemmill’s group for the first time.
The quartet will be in line to feature in the testing Euro 2023 qualifiers – both away from home.
St Johnstone loan star Glenn Middleton, the most capped player in the squad, has also been selected alongside McDiarmid Park goalkeeper Ross Sinclair.
Gemmill said: “Archie has played against Celtic and Rangers and, from speaking to the club and staff, he is very highly regarded.
“This is a great opportunity to get him involved. He is young enough to be involved next year, as well. He ticks a lot of boxes.
“It’s fantastic to see a young player like that doing so well when he gets his opportunity because that isn’t always the case.
“That expectation and pressure can be a lot to deal with, but Archie has dealt with it.
“His performances have been very good and he deserves this chance.”
Allied with the praise for Meekison is a recognition of United’s efforts in promoting youth.
The Tannadice club have afforded senior minutes to 16 academy graduates this season, with the club’s record for youngest ever player broken twice – Rory MacLeod usurping Craig Moore.
Gemmill added: “It speaks well of the player Meekison but it also speaks well of the club and the manager Tam Courts being brave enough to give young players the opportunity, having that mentality.
“They have been rewarded by some really top performances and I’m sure Dundee United are delighted with how the season has gone.”
While this represents Meekison’s first call-up, Gemmill is adamant the JD Performance School graduate is anything but an unknown quantity.
He added: “We’ve been monitoring Archie.
“Scotland is not that big a country. We’ve got very good staff in our Talent ID department, scouting and coaches. We like to feel like we know all the young players.
“I can assure every young player that they are being watched. They should play every game like they mean it, because someone is always watching.”
Gemmill has been similarly impressed by the impact of Harry Sharp and Josh Mulligan across the road.
The Dundee duo have been bright sparks during an otherwise dismal descent to relegation for the Dark Blues.
Sharp cut a composed figure between the sticks after an injury to Ian Lawlor, while the tireless Mulligan found the net against Hibs and Livingston.
Gemmill said: “They are good young players and have had some great experience playing in the Premiership.
“These young players are full of possibility and expectation but you need to see the talent confirmed and you need to know you can trust them to play.
“There is no better way for young players to do that than on the pitch, in big games.
“And that is even harder for a young goalkeeper. Not many have done it. So, Harry is due a pat on the back – but it’s all about what happens next; keep pushing.”
Scotland need some positive performances as they are languishing second-from-bottom in Group I, behind Belgium, Denmark and Turkey.