Nil to fear as Scot gives his babes’ display the thumbs-up
Gaffer happy with point after rivals park the bus
SCOT GEMMILL is sure that Scotland’s big picture is still bright despite a frustrating Tynecastle stalemate killing his Under-21 side’s 100 per cent record.
The babes team, who rocked top seeds Croatia last month, blew the chance to go top of Group 4 after totally dominating a grim and organised Lithuania for 90 minutes but failing to break them.
But as he prepared for a tough trip to the Czech Republic on Monday the manager saw no point in trying to suppress his optimism for a squad he reckons can go all the way.
He said: “I’m happy with the team – they were defensively sound, didn’t get caught on the counter attack, the first half especially some of our football was really good – but we know if you get chances you have to take them.
“I also think the Lithuanians changed at half-time because of how dominant we were and sat in even more.
“There were lots of good things and in the bigger context we have seven points out of nine, a lot of young players, a great opportunity for development.
“We’re disappointed not to win but have to think of the bigger picture. And we can go to the Czech Republic with confidence. We went to Croatia and won. We can go there and win.”
All eyes were on Billy Gilmour after his first Chelsea start – but Gemmill insists he’s not the only one with the potential to make the step up.
He said: “Look at the back four. Historically Scotland’s defence has been discussed. Are you telling me these guys haven’t got a chance to play for Scotland? Midfield and out wide too with Fraser Hornby in the middle. I’m biased but I really believe these players can do it. Nine did it from the last group.”
With the Czechs coming from behind to draw 1-1 with 10-man table-toppers Greece, three points would have seen Scotland top Group 4. But a 1000-strong Tynecastle main stand crowd, the inconvenience of the 5.15pm kick-off time and horrific weather clearly having an effect, were ultimately left frustrated.
Fresh from a Chelsea baptism that saw boss Frank Lampard raving about his laser-like passing and the way he ran the show in their Carabao Cup thrashing of Grimsby, Gilmour clearly had no qualms about wanting to be the dominant force in this side early on either, despite his callowness
at just 18. He took the set-pieces, demanded the ball in heavy traffic and had an uncanny knack of coming out the other side with it still attached to his foot.
Steve Clarke said during the week it wouldn’t do him any harm to earn his chops in the age group team and Gilmour seemed determined to prove he would.
Not everything went his way – he’ll need to learn sometimes less is more – but his little changes of pace and direction offered a glimpse into the kind of technique that had one of the biggest clubs in England desperate to land him as a 15-year-old.
It’s fair to say as the game wore on in biblical conditions though, Motherwell’s Allan Campbell dominated more in the middle of the park, his superior power and running shining through.
Hornby’s presence up front was causing the visitors problems as well.
The towering but mobile Everton striker, on loan in the Belgian top flight with KV Kortrijk, headed his first effort over the bar in the fourth minute and was denied by a great save as he latched on to twin flick-ons from Ryan Porteous and George Johnston with a sharp half-volley in the 16th.
And he was involved again in one of a raft of chances Scotland had to go ahead before the break, grafting to flick on Johnston’s cross only to see Glenn Middleton blow a dream chance at the back post, blazing his half-volley over when a little more time and care should have seen it on target.
The Rangers winger, on loan at Hibs, nearly made up for it with a sensational free-kick from the edge of the box, desperately beaten out of the top corner by the Lithuanian keeper, while Hornby came close with another just before the break.
Middleton was Scotland’s most creative hope all night, working his way into some great positions on both flanks in both halves but far too often there were no takers for his final ball.
And as the Lithuanians settled into an iron curtain of a low block in the second half, his invention was going to be even more important.
Gemmill made his first change early, swapping Lewis Ferguson for his Aberdeen mate Connor McLennan before the hour was out.
The Dons winger maybe considered himself unlucky not to be starting after his two-goal heroics from the bench earned Scotland a hugely encouraging win in Croatia last month.
Following him on was Stephen Kelly, replacing a quiet Kyle Magennis, and the Rangers midfielder on loan at Ayr United had the best chance to break the deadlock, latching on to brilliant work from Middleton.
His Ibrox mate burst to the byeline and this time played a dream cutback but Kelly’s quest for accuracy rather than power from 14 yards gave the keeper the chance he needed to block and then fall on his sidefooted effort.
SCOTLAND – Doohan, Ross McCrorie, Porteous, Johnston, Harvie, Ferguson (McLennan 59), Campbell (Henderson 87), Gilmour, Magennis (Kelly 64), Hornby, Middleton. Subs: Robby McCrorie, Reading, Maguire, Smith, McIntyre.
LITHUANIA – Krapikas, Stockunas, Kloniunas, Uzela, Milasius, Sesplaukis, Antanavicius, Megelaitis, Jankauskas, Marazas (Banevicius 73), Dubickas. Subs: Siaulys, Lukosiunas, Levsin, Armalas, Kodz, Ramanauskas, Sirvys, Kruzikas.