SCOT GEMMILL has warned that first-team football at club level is no passport to a place in his Scotland Under-21 squad.

The former U17 and U19 head coach was speaking at Hampden yesterday as he unveiled his first selection at the older age group since taking over from Ricky Sbragia earlier this month.

As well as picking familiar names such as Motherwell’s Chris Cadden, Hearts loanee Liam Smith and Aberdeen’s Craig Storie, Gemmill also listed the likes of Chelsea academy kid Ruben Sammut, Reading protégé Zak Jules and Nottingham Forest’s Alex Iacovitti.

Getting regular game time was part of his predecessor’s mantra. But in his first team that will go to Iceland and Macedonia for the forthcoming Euro qualifiers, Gemmill is happy to mix things up.

"It's something I feel quite strongly about,” he said. “For me, it's very easy to be persuaded because players are playing first-team football. Of course it is important and relevant, but I don't think players who aren't playing first-team football should be discounted.

“If we know they are outstanding young footballers with incredible potential, we can't not play them at this level.

"To use Ruben as an example. He's here because I know how good he is and the potential he's got. He's not close to Chelsea's first team but that doesn't mean he should be included in our under-21s. I have to trust my own judgment of the players. I want to push our young players who have done well in the last couple of years to the next level.”

With Scotland already out of the running to qualify for next summer’s tournament in Poland, next month they will go up against two opponents who are still very much in the mix.

It will be a testing experience for Gemmill’s inexperienced lot who have only a handful of caps between them. Still, the new man believes his young colts will be better off for the experience.

“The word I use is trust and I trust my players to play in these games. These are not just normal friendly games,” he said.

“The opposition can still qualify and there’s a competitive edge to the matches. We are in for a real test in Iceland and Macedonia but I think it’s brilliant because straight away these players have got nowhere to hide. That’s really good for their development.

“Whether we win, lose or draw they will be better players for the experience.”