Gemmill excited about next generation
UNDER 21S
ASCOTLAND team full of determination and character put the European champions to the sword in their own back yard and are a respected side, regarded as one of the better nations in Europe.
We are not going back to the 1960s with Denis Law at his pomp, nor the 1970s with Kenny Dalglish at his prime. This was two weeks ago and it was the Scotland Under 17s, who went to Portugal and won all three games in their Elite qualifying round, including an impressive 1-0 win against their Euro 2016 champion hosts.
It didn’t come as a surprise to the manager, Scot Gemmill, because two years ago he led the same age group to the semi-finals of the European Championship in Malta. This week, he begins his new job as Under 21
manager when an already eliminated Scotland travel to Reykjavik to play Iceland before ending a miserable campaign away in Macedonia the following week.
Gemmill remains convinced there is a conveyor belt of talent coming to the fore in Scotland.
“The Under 17s were very impressive. We had three different challenges. The first game against Malta, we were expected to win and dominated and were 5-0 up at half time and we won 6-0. The second game was against Wales, who had won the Victory Shield. It was a really tough British-type game.
“And then the last game was against Portugal, who are obviously a very tough team. But the players executed our game plan brilliantly well and came up with a big win.
“I think the 2000 age group, which are this year’s Under 17s, are really strong. They are all playing at a good level and there is a lot of competition. It’s not just a starting XI, there is real strength and depth in the squad.”
Scotland’s Achilles heel at full international level has been in central defence, probably since Colin Hendry and Colin Calderwood’s days but Gemmill sees reason for optimism.
“In recent weeks I’ve coached the Under 19s in Greece and we took four central defenders with us. The 17s defensively were really solid and kept three clean sheets. In the 21s, there are young players who’ve shown in recent times that they can be trusted to play.
“Last year Zak Jules, Kyle Cameron and Alex Iacovitti were playing in teams that beat Mexico and drew against Germany, pushing them all the way. They are able to play as they’ve been asked to play which, as making that progression as young players, is a key indicator whether they are going to be able to go all the way. All the signs are good.”
It’s not just a starting XI, there is real strength and depth in the squad