PRODUCING PLAYERS FOR THE SENIOR SQUAD WILL REMAIN THE TOP PRIORITY FOR GEMMILL

SCOT GEMMILL insists developing players for Alex McLeish’s full squad is a bigger priority than qualifying for their first Under-21 European Championship finals for 23 years. The young Scots sit in joint second place in their group after a superb midweek win in Holland — to complete home-and-away wins against the Dutch. With two games left, away to Ukraine and home to England, Scotland are well positioned to finish in second place where they would hope to clinch one of the four best runners-up spots which would earn them a play-off place.

However, Gemmill insists it gives him more pleasure seeing some of his young guns fast-tracked into the senior squad.

He said: ‘It gives me great satisfaction that we have Oli McBurnie, John Souttar and Scott McKenna all in the full squad who are still eligible for the Under-21s.

‘And also that we now have the likes of Billy Gilmour, Mikey Johnston and Fraser Hornby who are young enough to play in future campaigns.

‘Maybe people get frustrated at times when I’m asked about a group table and qualification. I can sense surprise when I say that sometimes I haven’t even looked at it.

‘Listen, if we qualify, it’s amazing. But there’s another job to be done.

‘I’m full of confidence. I know I’m doing a good job here. I’ve got my boss, Malky Mackay, with me all the time.

‘But I don’t feel under any pressure. Because I’m confident that how we prepare for games is correct.’