Gemmill warns Under-19s not to rise to the bait against Portugal

AS THE Scotland Under-19 side prepare to open their European Youth Championship campaign against Portugal in Poland this evening, coach Archie Gemmill has ordered his players not to become involved in the sort of antics which marred the World Cup match between the full Portuguese side and England earlier this month.

Portugal's senior squad came in for worldwide criticism during Germany 2006 after several instances of simulation during the finals, with Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo roundly booed during the semi-final and third-place play-off.

Gemmill has no idea if the young Portuguese will enter into similar tricks, but he has warned his players not to rise to the bait.

"That has been in the game ever since I played," said Gemmill. "My lads are a very well disciplined team. If the ref gives a foul, he gives a foul. You have just got to get on with it because he is not going to change his mind.

"They can dive all they want and the ref will give fouls time and time again, but if you moan about it, all you end up doing is getting booked and one bad tackle later, you are booked again and you are off.

"So they have been told to shut up. They know that and have done [so] ever since we got together. It's stupid if you end up getting booked for talking back to a referee."

Lee Wallace, the Hearts defender, backed his coach's stance and admitted the Scots players are well aware of the dangers which could lie in wait.

He said: "The boys have had a laugh and a joke about the way they try and cheat. I think it is something in their nature, when you go away and play in foreign countries we are always told about what they will be like, with their diving and when they are trying to get you booked.

"It does get annoying. Over in Portugal last season, there was a lot of diving and you get frustrated, but you just have to get on with it."

Gemmill, meanwhile, has calmed fears over the possibility of a Scottish meltdown. The coaching staff cut short yesterday morning's training session due to the blistering Polish heat, but the manager insists that was just a commonsense decision.

He said: "Obviously, it is a little bit hot and we would like it to be a bit cooler because the teams we are playing against would like a bit of heat.

"But it is not a concern to me because you still have to play football whether it is in mud or sun, you just have to get on with it."

The coach, though, insisted it is vital for the Scots' chances of progression in the tournament not to lose tonight's opener.

"When you are in a group situation like this, it is vitally important that you do not lose your first game because that means you are still in with a chance," said Gemmill.

"If you lose it, it tends to mean goodbye.We'll go and play and give it every ounce of energy."

Taken from the Scotsman