Gemmill gets helping hand from Houston on his road to the top
NEW Scotland Under-21s assistant manager Peter Houston insists Scot Gemmill is destined to be a top boss and is determined to help him reach the top.
The former Falkirk and Dundee United manager is back in the game after being axed by the Bairns earlier this season.
He started his new role with the young Scots in Friday’s disappointing 1-1 draw in Andorra and is thrilled to be back in international football.
Houston was also Scotland No 2 to Craig Levein for their ill-fated spell in charge and took the assistant job to Gemmill after Peter Grant was promoted to Alex McLeish’s backroom team.
But Houston has been impressed with Gemmill and revealed he always knew he would be a top coach back from the days when he was assistant manager at Leicester City and Gemmill was a player nearing the end of his career.
He said: ‘Scot is someone I’ve got a lot of time for.
‘I think he will be a manager in his own right when he chooses to do that. He’s come through the coaching path where he’s been getting young teams qualifying for things.
‘Working with him this week, he’s very knowledgeable.
‘But I knew that anyway as I worked with Scot at Leicester when Craig and I were there.
‘Kenny Black and I would maybe go to Barnet to play Arsenal reserves and Scot would be one of the guys sent down with another couple of senior pros to play in the match.
‘You sometimes got huffy ones who don’t want to be there. As coaches, Kenny and I could handle that as we’re experienced.
‘Not Scot Gemmill. He played the games as if he was playing for Scotland.
‘That was one of the first impressions I got of Scot and getting to know him down there. I think he’s taken the attitude he’s been brought up with from his father from his game into the coaching side.
‘He can be strong, he knows what he wants and he explains it very well. I’m here to assist him. I like the role. I’m not here to be the main man.
‘I’ll do bits and bobs and we’ll bounce ideas off each other and build a relationship within that.
‘I want to make sure people know I’m the No2. I don’t want to be the No1. I’m here to help Scot like I did with Craig Levein those years ago.’
Houston, who will be 60 in July, insists he is not interesting in managing again.
And he has revealed he has taken the Under-21s job for the honour and not the money.
He explained: ‘I was happy to be an assistant. The manager’s job was sort of planted on me when Craig took the Scotland job on.
‘It was sink or swim. I did that, enjoyed it, went and worked on the scouting side then Falkirk asked me back. Getting the bibs and cones out is what I’ve done for a long time and I really like it.
‘I haven’t missed it. I had other wee interests and plans. I’m not going to retire, I like to work. So this suits me perfectly. I don’t need to be full-time. I am in a good position in life.
‘I wanted to take the stress away and see the family more and enjoy life more. I don’t want to be Arsene Wenger at 70-odd years of age.
‘I said it might do me with regards to management being 60 this year, but this has given me a refresher. It’s absolutely great. To do it at international level is a thrill.
‘It’s an honour. I’ve never had a big ego. I’m quite happy with what I’ve achieved and content in my own mind I tried my best.
‘It’s not about money, trust me. It’s about a bit of prestige and honour. As long as I’m involved with the 21s, I will go and watch matches for petrol money.
‘It wouldn’t have bothered me if I didn’t get paid anything. It’s just great for me to be back in among players.’