Gemmill sees his stars of the future solving the nation’s defensive crisis

SCOT GEMMILL takes charge of Scotland’s Under-21s for the first time on Wednesday confident that he has huge central defensive potential in his ranks.

Gemmill promoted a host of talent from his Under-19 squad for the European Championship qualifiers against Iceland then, a week on Tuesday, in Macedonia.

Ten players were called up for the first time to an Under-21 squad that cannot qualify for the Finals in Poland next summer, so Gemmill has already started to plan for the 2019 tournament.

Kyle Cameron, Alex Iacovitti, Zak Jules and the 18-times-capped Jordan McGhee, who is on loan at Middlesbrough from Hearts, make up the centre-half options.

And Gemmill pointed out the newcomers possess the presence, power and quality to give Scotland hope that they can become senior international defenders in years to come.

Iacovitti is on loan from Nottingham Forest to Mansfield Town, where boss Adam Murray has described him as ‘old school’ and ‘very aggressive’.

The powerful Jules has been working with Champions League winner Jaap Stam at Reading, while 6ft 3in Cameron is on loan at Newport County from Newcastle.

‘Last year, Zak Jules, Kyle Cameron and Alex Iacovitti were playing in Under-19 teams that beat Mexico (3-1) and drew (2-2) against Germany, pushing them all the way,’ said Gemmill.

‘In my opinion, they are very deserving of the support they should be getting right now. They are athletic. And they are capable of playing football.

‘The real thing for me is just their application, their game intelligence.

‘They are able to play as they have been asked to play which, while making that progression as young players, is a key indicator as to whether they are going to be able to go all the way. For me, the fact they can play in that manner means all the signs are good.’