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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Mark Walker

Scot Gemmill backs his Scotland Under 21s to make history in Hungary

Scot Gemmill has backed his Scotland Under 21s kids to go and make history in Hungary by winning four games in a row for the first time in 28 years.

The young Scots stunned Belgium on Friday night with a 2-0 win in Roeselare which followed on from a double-header home win last month against Hungary and Malta.

A win in Budapest this evening would see a Scotland Under 21s team put together a four-game winning sequence for the first time since 1995 when they defeated Russia home and away as well as Greece and San Marino.

Scotland currently sit in second spot in the group behind leaders Spain which would be good enough for at least a play-off for the Euro 2025 Finals in Slovakia, with the three best runners-up also going through automatically too

And Gemmill, who has drafted in Rangers duo Robbie Fraser and Cole McKinnon and Aberdeen kid Ryan Duncan to his squad - trusts his players to get the job done.

He said: "It's about the players finding the energy to go again, They played with a lot of concentration on Friday and they have to do it again.

"It's another big test for them but that's what we want.

"Can they do it again? Mentally, they have to match the intensity they showed on Friday.

"Of course, that would be fantastic if we did win four games in a row because that would be a really strong indication that we are selecting the right players and they are doing well against good opposition.

"The players who got the opportunity did great the other night and they have to do it again.

"And as a I said to them, there's no point winning in Belgium only to lose to Hungary."

And Gemmill praised new captain Connor Barron with the Dons midfielder handed the armband for the first time in Belgium after enjoying an excellent campaign so far for the Pittodrie side.

Gemmill said: "Connor definitely in my opinion has improved again this season.

"I always refer to his performance away to Belgium the last time we played them last year and how good he was then.

"He's definitely improving in all aspects of his game in my opinion and he is starting to show how good a professional he is and how good a character he is."

Meanwhile, Leeds United defender Jeremiah Mullen has vowed to kick on for his country after scoring his first goal for the Under 21s in Belgium.

And the giant stopper has been guided through by his Elland Road teammate, Scotland star Liam Cooper.

Mullen said: "It does take a lot out of you because you have to be focussed and mentally switch on, as we were in Belgium, but I feel rested and ready to go again.

"It was similar to the Spain game but better because this time we took our chances and also defended well.

"We take it from game to game. We have already beaten Hungary at home and we know we can do it again, but we have to be careful because they are a good side.

"At Leeds, Liam Cooper has been a good influence on me, He's very professional and a good leader. "He's a great guy to have about the club."

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