Scotland Beneath-21 0 Czech Republic Beneath-21 0
It’s an applicable spot for historical past and the long run to collide. A brief stroll from the Billy Metal lounge lies a media room named in honour of Doug Cowie.
Each former Dundee gamers silently testify to greatness previous. On the doorstep of their rooms, one can peek out and watch the contenders for future greatness take their steps on to Dens Park.
The world of soccer has modified, after all. The contenders of at the moment are embroiled in a fast-moving media world and are working in a tradition the place pathways are skilled somewhat than coaching runs alongside the Tay.
There’s, too, the truth that the elite faculties are being binned, the authors of a splendid report on soccer improvement, Andy Gould and Chris Docherty, have left the Scottish FA, and soccer academies in Scotland are dropping high prospects to England and elsewhere.
It appears an apt background for a bleak evening at Dens the place the windchill issue bolsters the stadium’s status as one of many coldest arenas in Scottish soccer.
There are gently warming components, nevertheless. The gang is lifted by boisterous younger boys whose mischievous rowdiness signifies a defiance of their destiny of supporting Scotland for future generations.
Barney Stewart is overwhelmed to the ball by younger Czech powerhouse Ondrej Coudek
On the park, there’s a resilience from Scotland. Beneath the cosh within the first half, a tactical swap improves the attacking efficiency within the second. Luke Graham, taking part in on his dwelling turf, is excellent. Ruairidh Adams, who’s on mortgage to East Fife from Dundee United, is spectacular in aim.
Barney Stewart of Falkirk is already on the radar of Steve Clarke and toiled nicely if finally fruitlessly for an hour. Ryan One, the previous Hamilton ahead now on mortgage at Lincoln Metropolis from Sheffield United,, got here on at half-time and used his tempo and power to good impact.
There have been virtually conventional failings. There appears a nationwide inclination to punt the ball when below strain. The Czech Republic, significantly within the first half, had been extra assured in possession.
There’s additionally the difficulty with physicality. Gordon Strachan, quick in stature however susceptible to outsized political incorrectness, as soon as went down a rabbit gap of genetics when addressing the dimensions of Scottish gamers.
There was one second within the second half when the slight James Wilson, who joined Tottenham Hotspur on mortgage from Hearts in February and was launched right here for the ultimate half-hour, was confronted by 6ft 5in Czech centre-half Ondrej Kricfalusi. It was an uneven contest when it comes to brute power. If this was a faculty match, then Kricfalusi would have been reported to the principal for bullying.
It additionally pointed to a reality about under-age soccer. Improvement works at totally different charges. Wilson, Kyle Ure — who’s on mortgage at Ayr from Celtic — and Dire Mebude of Caykur Rizespor are slight however a scout from an English Premier League membership mentioned all three had caught the attention in earlier matches.
Wilson is at Spurs for a purpose. The ahead, simply turned 19, already is a full worldwide.
Dundee defender Luke Graham was a standout for the Scots on his dwelling floor of Dens Park
He was in glorious kind on his final go to to Dens Park when he scored a hat trick for the Beneath-21s in a 12-0 win towards Gibraltar in October of final 12 months. This was watched by Derek Collins and his nine-year-old son, Lewis, who’re each Forfar followers. The return to Dens was not rewarded by objectives however father and son are united of their ardour for the sport.
‘We go to Forfar dwelling and away and attend as many Scotland video games as we will,’ says Collins senior. There was even a Forfar hyperlink to the match.
‘Dylan Lobban was on mortgage with us and was glorious,’ he says of the Aberdeen defender. Craig Slater, who presently performs for Forfar, was additionally an Beneath-21 participant.
The Slater hyperlink with the Beneath-21s extends to Scot Gemmill. Sitting within the Doug Cowie suite after the sport towards the Czechs, the Scottish coach was shocked to study that his 10-year anniversary is approaching. Slater’s Beneath-21 profession led to the identical 12 months.
Gemmill was appointed on September 9, 2006. His first match, a defeat towards Iceland, produced just one future Scottish full internationalist in Oli McBurnie. However a 12 months later the Scots had been beating the Netherlands and Gemmill had Anthony Ralston, Greg Taylor, John Souttar, Scott McKenna, Oliver Burke and Lewis Morgan as future full internationalists.
Scotland Beneath-21 boss Scot Gemmill wasn’t conscious he is developing for 10 years within the job
‘I didn’t know that. Can you purchase me one thing good?’ says Gemmill when advised of the upcoming anniversary.
‘What have I realized? What I wish to talk is that folks suppose it’s simply Beneath-21s however it’s about totally different age teams. Every age group has had its totally different strengths and weaknesses.
‘It’s about maximising every group and its potential and hopefully the gamers with the boys’s A crew present we’re deciding on the correct gamers.’
The A crew, after all, options two Champions League winners. Andy Robertson of Liverpool was earlier than Gemmill’s time however he did work with Billy Gilmour, who was an unused sub as Chelsea beat Manchester Metropolis to win the competitors in 2021.
Success for the Beneath-21s could be to qualify for the European finals. This age group has not performed so for 30 years. Gemmill has come shut twice, taking the qualification course of to the final sport.
This marketing campaign is tight. Portugal paved the way and can qualify mechanically. Scotland, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria vie for the runner-up spot and the next play-off.
Gemmill, delighted with a clear sheet towards a robust Czech aspect, believes there was improvement within the group because the reverse fixture. ‘And there needs to be,’ he provides.
Extra, after all, will likely be wanted when the Scots tackle Portugal in Estoril tomorrow.
‘It’s a very massive sport,’ he says. ‘It’s thrilling to have that problem forward of us. They’ve gamers taking part in within the Champions League.’
Kilmarnock midfielder David Watson vies for the ball with Czech counterpart Thomas Jelinek
That’s the dream for David Watson of Kilmarnock. He’s already a longtime participant within the Premiership and he relishes taking up high opposition.
‘There’s nonetheless tons to play for on this group,’ he says, the stains on his jersey silently testifying to a tricky evening in Dundee. ‘Portugal are completely good however we’re assured in our potential. They’ve some actually good gamers however we’re going there to attempt to win,’ he says.
Of the expertise, he says: ‘You study one thing totally different. I actually get pleasure from it, taking part in towards guys who’re going to be high gamers.’
He has an opportunity of being one himself. The pathway now narrows dramatically. Few will journey to the very high within the method of Robertson and Gilmour. Most should settle as journeymen, however there isn’t any disgrace in that.
Scotland v Czech Republic in March 2026 is now historical past. It is going to be intriguing to look again in a couple of years to see how the boys grew to become males.
