SCOT GEMMILL unveiled his new class of talented Scots kids and urged them to follow in the footsteps of Under 21s stars Billy Gilmour, David Turnbull and Nathan Patterson who have won a Euro 2020 call-up.
The young Scots face a double-header next week against Northern Ireland ahead of their Euro 2023 qualifiers which begin in September and only Rangers trio Brian Kinnear, Lewis Mayo and Glenn Middleton retain their places from the last squad with most of the previous group now overage.
Three of his previous group, who narrowly failed to qualify for the Euro Finals, all won headline-grabbing call-ups to Steve Clarke's European Championships Finals squad last week.
And Gemmill, who included the likes of Athletic Bilbao's Ewan Urain, Liverpool's Tom Clayton and Manchester City keeper Cieran Slicker, believes it should provide inspiration for all young Scots from the Performance Schools upwards.
He said: "I'm obviously delighted for them, but it's their performances and hard work that have got them where they are. We give them international experience, which is in context a small icing on the cake to their development. It's their clubs and their families who deserve all the credit.
"The impact they will make is going to be really interesting to see. It's obviously a decision for Steve Clarke and his staff, but the fact that they are there is because of their performances and the fact that they have impacted games at the very highest level. Billy and Nathan are still eligible to play for us, although David Turnbull is too old now.
"It's the strength of their season that has put them there. I think it's just about opportunity. They have put themselves in a position where they can be part of history and a big sporting occasion and it's going to be really interesting to see what happens.
"Steve has obviously put them in there because they can be part of it. We are all trust in him because he's shown he's very good at that as he's got us into this position.
"There's no doubt it's an inspiration to others. Not just the Under 21s, but the 19s and 17s and all the way down to the Performance Schools. The fact that they have been referenced in the development of these players just shows that there is so much good work going on and the coaches at that level don't get the credit that they deserve because they are the ones who have helped these players get into this position working with them day in and day out.
"It's certainly a very nice moment for the staff involved to be able to point to that process and pathway. Brian McLaughlin runs the Performance Schools and I know that he is incredibly proud of his staff and the role they have played here. It's really exciting and it does show all the players there that it can happen.
"People have questioned where are our young players are. They're there!
"And myself and my staff has said that consistently over the past few years. The 17s have qualified for four Finals in a row, you don't do that by chance, you do that by having good young players. So there are good young players there, they just need opportunities to play and they are really stepping up."
And Gemmill is excited to see how his new-look squad shapes up ahead of the opening qualifiers away in Turkey in September and explained the shock call-up of Spanish-based striker Urain, who plays for Bilbao's B team in the Spanish third tier.
He said: "He’s played at a very good level, he’s playing at a club that is historically strong at academy level. I have spoken to him and I believe he is in the process of signing a new long-term contract.
"That gives me real confidence to select him and we’re looking forward to working with him and giving him the opportunity to come and be involved with the team. In the past we would have gone and watch him play live, we haven’t been able to do that over the past 12 months. But we have still reached a point where we are confident and delighted to invite him in with the group.
"And it’s the same with all the other players, provide them with an opportunity to show they are ready to play and confirm our thoughts they are ready for this level.
“We’re very grateful we have managed to get these games, I have spoken to the Northern Ireland coach Andy Crosby and he is the same.
"He realises how important they are and the value of seeing the players. So now that is it is confirmed it is really exciting."
SQUAD: Scott Banks (Crystal Palace), Kieron Bowie (Fulham), Jack Burroughs (Coventry City), Logan Chalmers (Dundee Utd), Tom Clayton (Liverpool), Robbie Deas (Inverness CT), Josh Doig (Hibs), Ethan Erhahon (St Mirren), Lewis Fiorini (NAC Breda, on loan from Man City), Cameron Harper (Inverness CT), Kyle Joseph (Wigan Athletic), Stephen Kelly (Rangers), Brian Kinnear (Rangers), Roddy MacGregor (Inverness CT), Daniel Mackay (Inverness CT), Archie Mair (Norwich City), Lewis Mayo (Rangers), Josh McPake (Rangers), Glenn Middleton (St Johnstone, on loan from Rangers), Zak Rudden (Partick Thistle), Cieran Slicker (Manchester City), Ewan Urain (Athletic Bilbao), Stephen Welsh (Celtic), Ben Williamson (Rangers)
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