SCOTLAND Under-21 boss Scot Gemmill has vowed to help Brendan Rodgers turn Celtic youngsters Anthony Ralston and Calvin Miller into stars of the future.
The teenage duo have both graduated to the Hoops’ first-team squad this summer and have now followed that up with their first call-ups to Gemmill’s group after being named in a 22-man squad chosen for next month’s Euro 2019 qualifier with Holland.
Gemmill has been impressed with the progress the Parkhead teenagers have made.
But he also understands that 18-year-old Ralston and Miller, 19, need time to find their feet.
However, he is determined to help Celtic boss Rodgers squeeze every last drop of potential from the players.
“I understand that everyone is talking about them because they are playing for a team that is doing well right now,” said Gemmill.
“But it’s only correct we keep it in perspective. They are young boys, they have only played a couple of games.
“We have a responsibility with all the players – not just Calvin and Tony – to maximise their potential and we’re determined to do that.”
Ralston was handed his European debut on Tuesday night when he came off the bench to help the Hoops book their slot in the Champions League group stage with an 8-4 aggregate win over Astana.
He and Miller have also featured in two domestic clashes with Kilmarnock this term, a 5-0 Betfred Cup romp and last Saturday’s 2-0 Ladbrokes Premiership victory.
Now Gemmill says he is excited about the prospect of pitching them in against the Dutch when they open their qualifying bid at the Paisley 2021 Stadium on September 5.
He said: “Tony had a really strong summer with us in Toulon and put in some strong performances.
“He’s had a great pre-season and his manager is trusting him. He played in the Champions League play-off last night, which is incredible.
“We know we have a real special talent there. He is doing brilliantly for his club and hopefully he can carry on doing that at international level too.
“Calvin has played a lot of games for the national teams at a younger level and is doing really well with the opportunities he’s also getting at Celtic.
“Now it’s another challenge for him to try to push into the under-21 team.”
Scotland’s youngsters have now gone more than a calendar year without netting at under-21 level but Gemmill is confident their summer success at the Toulon Under-20 tournament will provide his squad with the necessary confidence.
The tartan talents registered the country’s first-ever victory over Brazil at any age group on their way to an impressive third-place finish and Gemmill says that has raised expectations ahead of their Euro 2019 campaign, which also involves clashes with England, Ukraine, Latvia and Andorra.
He said: “If there are any nagging doubts, they are not internal. We went to Toulon and scored goals against good teams.
“A lot of those players are now in this 21s group so I don’t share those concerns. But talk is cheap.”
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