SCOT GEMMILL is faced with a conundrum that will be very familiar to Steve Clarke.
Like the senior set-up, the Under-21s squad is blessed with a hefty contingent of central midfielders all vying for a place in the starting XI, with each and every one confident they have what it takes to star in their upcoming double-header against the Czechs and San Marino.
Motherwell’s Allan Campbell, new Celtic signing David Turnbull and Aberdeen stalwart Lewis Ferguson will all surely have an expectation of pulling on the dark-blue jersey next month, while Ross McCrorie – who recently made the switch from Ibrox to Pittodrie – has been in excellent form in recent weeks.
It leaves Gemmill with a welcome selection headache but the manager of the young Scots reckons that the versatility displayed by McCrorie stands the 22-year-old in good stead; not only for the national team but at club level, too.
“It’s a big strength that he can play in different positions,” Gemmill said of the Dons player. “He’s already played in several different roles since arriving at Aberdeen and it’s great to have a player like that in your squad.
“But I also wouldn’t argue with anyone who says you have to nail down a position.
“The real people to answer that question are Ross and Derek McInnes. Knowing Ross from working with the Under-16s, 17, 19s and 21s, he is always willing to play where he’s asked and willing to do a job.
“That’s why he’s been captain of all of those age groups but it’s going to be interesting to see how his career pans out. It’s just important for him right now to be playing at a good level right now as it’s important in terms of his development and seeing how far he can go.”
Another player who has enjoyed a fine start to the 2020/21 campaign – albeit in slightly controversial circumstances at times, given his aggressive streak – is Hibernian defender Ryan Porteous.
Having suffered a couple of serious injury setbacks in recent years, the centre-half has quickly established himself as one of the first names on Jack Ross’ team sheet at Easter Road this season.
Gemmill says he has been impressed with the tough-tackling, no-nonsense approach from the young defender so far this season, adding that centre-backs often require a bit of a mean streak if they are to make it to the very top.
Gemmill said: “Ryan is proving he is a real competitor and his performances show that. Whether he is playing that for us or for his club, he is a really solid defender. But he has got real character and real presence.
“I think it's about the balance and he is very conscious of the need to really channel that aggression and the way he uses his physicality when he plays. At the same time we all want our players to have character and resilience, determination and ambition.
“So Ryan just needs to find that balance but I think we need to look to the positives for sure. We crave that in our top players.
“I don't think you can be a top player without having that edge. You have to take it personally. I speak to the players about this before every game. Your opponent is trying to beat you and embarrass you, so you have to take it personally.
“I love to see that [aggressive streak] in the team. You need to have it to be successful.”
Having started all six of Scotland’s European Championship qualifiers of the campaign – and conceding just three goals along the way – it seems a pretty safe bet that Feyenoord’s George Johnston will partner Porteous in central defence next month.
With the likes of Scott McKenna showing there is a path for young defenders to tread to make the jump into the senior squad, Gemmill reckons it is only a matter of time before Porteous and Johnston are called up by Steve Clarke for a taste of senior international football.
“That is definitely a potential outcome for all the players involved.” Gemmill said. “Of course, they’re not all going to play for Scotland. That’s the reality.
“But I do feel within this group there are several players who will play for Scotland. I’m so confident of that. That’s not an if, it’s a matter of when.
“To be working with players when you have that confidence and you have that belief – and that’s not just related to their performances on the pitch. We now have a knowledge and understanding of how they are off the pitch and how determined they are, how hard they’re willing to work off the pitch as well.
“They [Porteous and Johnston] still have it all to prove but they’re close for sure and moving closer all the time. Ryan’s been playing for his club and George is back and working very hard to establish himself at his club.
“Historically, people would possibly question George’s size but his performances are showing that that’s not going to be an issue. If he continues along his current pathway then he’s shown he can play at the top level.”
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