IT’S WRITTEN IN STARS FOR GEMMILL KIDS
SCOT GEMMILL fondly remembers the red-letter days when confirmation of his spot in the Scotland squad for Euro 96 and the 1998 World Cup dropped through the door.
But, looking back, the U21s boss admits he knew the writing was on the wall with regard to his hopes of getting any game time in England or France.
According to Gemmill, that’s the main difference between his own situation and the current crop of big tournament hopefuls pushing for a place in Steve Clarke’s squad for Germany 2024.
When he looks at the quality of players jostling to make the final cut, he believes every one of them will be doing so expecting to play and not just make up the numbers in June.
Friday’s 4-0 thumping for the senior side in the Netherlands raised questions over various positions in Clarke’s side, not least the striker’s role and which is the best combination of defenders to shut out Germany, Switzerland and Hungary.
With three warm-up games left to stake their claim, starting against Northern Ireland at Hampden tomorrow night, former Nottingham Forest and Everton midfielder Gemmill reckons times have changed for the up-and-coming Scots stars.
And he doesn’t just mean that in terms of how they’ll find out the good news.
Recalling his major tournament calls he said: “You used to get a letter. I’m serious. You’re making me feel very old!
“Truthfully, it was slightly
different for me because I kind of knew I wasn’t going to play in the team.
“But I think it’s different for the majority of this squad who are not just happy to be in the squad but actually want to play in the team.
“I was 25 at the Euros and 27 at the World Cup. You think it’s normal. You really do.
“You are very spoiled and don’t realise the significance of it.
“I should have been more conscious of how big an occasion it was and how big an achievement it was.”
Lewis Ferguson is just one of those players hoping to push into Clarke’s plans in time for the summer.
The midfielder has been a revelation in Italy since leaving Aberdeen for Bologna two years ago.
He has been made skipper by Thiago Motta due to his performances and, with 11 full caps to his name, the 24-year-old has already equalled his tally of U21 appearances under Gemmill.
The 53-year-old reckons Ferguson is the perfect example for the current crop of youngsters coming through the ranks.
He said: “For sure. I do really feel the players are so aware of things like that.”