GEMMILL FOLLOWS IN SBRAGIA’S FOOTSTEPS: Following last night’s 4-0 defeat to Ukraine, there has been a change at the helm of Scotland’s Under-21 side. Ricky Sbragia is taking a side-step from the dugout to work the country’s youth set-up between under-16 and under-19 level while Scotland Under-17 boss Scot Gemmill will make the step up and take control of the Under-21 side for the rest of their qualifying campaign and beyond.
The loss meant qualification for Euro 2017 was finally out of reach for the young Scots, who suffered their second loss in five days having also been beaten by Macedonia last Friday. Sbragia only mustered two wins from his eight games in charge, with both coming against Northern Ireland, as well as two draws against Iceland and Ukraine. Gemmill meanwhile has led the nation’s Under-17 side to three consecutive European Championships.
An added bonus is Scotland fans might actually get their wish of having Jack Harper turn out for the Under-21 side now that Sbragia has moved on.
FORAN DESPERATE TO KEEP MEEKINGS: Inverness boss Richie Foran wants to tie-up a two-year contract extension for centre-back Josh Meekings that would keep the defender at the club until 2019. Meekings joined Caley in 2011 and has been a key player in their back-line ever since. The 24-year-old has already made 175 appearances for the Highland club and will look to build on that upon his return from injury.
GUNNING FOR A MOVE SOUTH: Gavin Gunning hasn’t played football since his dramatic performance for Dundee United back in April, when he infamously walked off the pitch amid the club’s relegation struggles. Now he fears that he’s being driven out of the country by chatter, the 25-year-old said: “People are judging me. It’s frustrating. What happened at Dundee United didn’t help and it’s making things more difficult.
“Scottish football is so close-knit that most people know each other. One person says something and before you know it, it’s fact.
“I need a fresh start down in England where I can get a fair crack of the whip.”
THEY SAID…
“I’m on this letter of the players they can call. It’s just up to me if I perform well. I am definitely trying everything. I want to say that every Kosovarian is very proud of this performance in the first game.
“It was really nice to see the 90 minutes and I was really happy with the draw.People in the world can definitely look forward to this team.” (Hamilton full back is Gramoz Kurtaj is dreaming of a call up to the Kosova national team)
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