Gemmill's gems just as good as Class of '82

SCOTLAND'S Under-19 squad are as good as Andy Roxburgh's Class of 1982, according to John Watson, the only remaining link between the two teams.

The current crop gave Scottish football a huge lift in Poland on Wednesday when they qualified for Saturday's European Championship final against Spain. The feat means Archie Gemmill's team moved a step closer to emulating the heroics of Scotland's youngsters of 24 years ago, who stormed to success in the European finals under the guidance of Roxburgh and Walter Smith.

Watson was a member of Roxburgh's staff in 1982 and is Scotland's physio at this week's championships, and he believes Gemmill's players are every bit as good as Paul McStay, Pat Nevin and Co were over two decades ago.

"The two squads are very similar as there are young players who have broken into their first teams, just as it was in 1982," said Watson. "Paul was in the Celtic first-team and he came away with us. The strikers in 1982 were Brian McClair and Eric Black, now we've got one from Hibs and one from Hearts in Steven Fletcher and Calum Elliot.

"The 'keepers are similar as Bryan Gunn was doing well at Aberdeen and Andrew McNeil has come on tremendously in the last year at Hibs.

"We had Pat Nevin back then, and we've now got a similar type in Michael McGlinchey.

"The youth standard is better because we are getting further in the competitions. We just missed out last year and we should have qualified. The future is bright.

"In 1982, we also had what we have here, great team spirit. The backroom staff get on really well and we have a carry on at times."

Watson will be filled with pride tomorrow when Scotland take on Spain and, incredibly, it is an encounter he predicted on the evening when Gemmill's men lost 4-0 to Gines Menendez's youngsters in the Group B game eight days ago.

He explained: "You don't need to believe me, but I said to Archie on the bus back, 'Do you know what the final will be?' and he says 'Who?' and I said 'Spain and ourselves'. He laughed, but it has come to pass. Spain gave us a beating, but we have improved and acclimatised in the heat. I knew we had the ability."

Taken from the Scotsman