MY SCOTS BABES CAN BE KINGS OF EUROPE SAYS UNDER-19 BOSS ARCHIE GEMMILL

ARCHIE GEMMILL stunned world when he scored the most famous goal in the history of the Scotland national team.

And the World Cup hero believes our stars of tomorrow can follow in his quicksilver footsteps and pull off a surprise of their own on the big stage.

Gemmill's Under-19 squad have qualified for the European Championship finals, the first time it has been done by a Scots team in 20 years, which take place in Poland in July.

And without getting carried away, or making any Ally MacLeod-like Argentina promises, he is quietly confident that his young team have a more than decent chance of winning the tournament.

In just two years in the job, Gemmill and his assistant Tommy Wilson have made a tremendous impact on this set of players.

Last year a narrow defeat to a strong Greece side prevented them reaching the annual competition, then held in Northern Ireland. This time they were not to beaten.

Three games in Belarus saw 2-1 wins against the home nation and Bulgaria and then a 1-1 draw against a highly-rated France side was enough to see them through to Poland and the kind of form that even a rejuvenated senior team can only, for the time being, dream about.

July 18 is when the tournament begins and Scotland are one of the few countries who have definitely qualified. Portugal and the hosts are also there while the rest will be known over the next week or so.

Players are usually still on holiday at that time or in some cases about to report back to their clubs, so you could be forgiven for being cynical and waiting for the mystery calf strains suffered on a Spanish beach to appear.

The Under-21 training camp was cancelled because of the number of call-offs but Gemmill knows that his team will report for duty and ready to do their country proud.

He said: "It's like this - players first and then the backroom staff. It's the boys who deserve all the credit and any recognition which comes their way as they have been magnificent.

"July is an unusual time for them to play in a tournament like this but they've had some time off before we meet up again. And I don't expect any problems. They have given me none so far.

"Anything we have asked of them, they have done. There has never been a a lot of call-offs and they will all be there in Poland.

"It's going to be a great experience. The players have never been away like this before and it will be strong teams we'll be up against. But we have the talent to give anyone a game.

"We came so close last year and then, as happens, we lost quite a few to the Under-21s, including Steven Naismith who won Young Player of the Year. So we have to bring more people in, players who perhaps weren't as experienced, and they have been superb.

"They work really hard and are incredibly professional for such a young group. I feel very proud to be part of this but it's not about me. It's all about them and so far they can be delighted with their efforts.

"I'm told it's 20 years since a Scotland side last made it through. That's a long, long time, so these lads have made a bit of history for them-selves. It will on help their growth as people and football players. And we have a chance of doing well."

Gemmill knows from his 1978 experiences that if Scotland even suggest they are going to win a tournament, only depression and misery can follow.

Along with a spectacular solo goal against Holland, of course.

But the coach has a feeling that if the Scots can hit the ground running who knows what might happen. Gemmill said: "A lot depends on the draw. It always does. But what I will say is that I'm hopeful.

"Anything I do in life I feel confident about and this group of players has given me no reason to think any differently. We have beaten really good teams to get there, so we do go with high hopes.

"It will be an eight-team tournament with two groups of four and the first and second place get to the semi-finals and automatically into the Under-19 World Cup. That has to be our aim.

"Personally, it will mean a lot to me when I see the boys walk out for that first match. But as I've said before, it's all about the players and I genuinely think we can go to Poland with high hopes. I know I feel that way."

The biggest difference which may go some way to explaining an upturn in the Under- 19s fortunes is the amount of players who actually play for their clubs most weeks.

In years gone by it's been a case of our boys being fringe players at best. Then they come up against Italians, Spaniards and the French who are packed full with first-team regulars.

Gemmill said: "The fact a lot of the boys have held down places in their own sides is a big help. Steven Whittaker is almost an ever-present at Hibs. Callum Elliot has had an excellent season with Hearts and Garry Kenneth has played plenty of times for Dundee United.

"A year or two ago we would have had a few with first-team experience. Now there is a lot and it's a big help to me. The squad is also made up mostly of Scottish-based players with only one or two from down south.

"It's an ever-evolving team because we do lose boys to the Under-21s and of course that's what we want. There are some who will make that jump for next season.

"We have a lot of talent - good lads with a fantastic attitude. They now have experience to go with that, which is why we head to Poland in a good frame of mind."

First the Kirin Cup and now this. It's nearly enough to give us all a bit of hope.

Taken from the Daily Record