Archie Gemmill interview: “I’m very proud of the Stevens, Naismith and Fletcher”

Scotland may have hit Gibraltar for six last Sunday, but none of the goals came anywhere near matching what remains the best-ever strike by a Scot at international level.

Archie Gemmill’s mazy run and chip to score against Holland at the 1978 World Cup Finals remains etched in the memory of anyone who saw it at the time, and marvelled at by those who can only access it via DVD.

The man himself, however, remains self-effacing of his feat, preferring the praise to be heaped upon two of the present incumbents of the dark-blue jersey who were on the mark in last weekend’s Euro 2016 qualifier at Hampden.

Gemmill had both hat-trick hero Steven Fletcher and Steven Naismith under his guidance in the Scotland Under-19 side almost a decade ago, and they both showed plenty of promise.

But many at that age never fulfil their talent and drop down a level or two or out of the senior game completely.

That duo, however, have matured into class performers and have carved careers in the English Premiership for a number of years. They have also been a big part of Gordon Strachan’s plans.

Gemmill, now 68, is certain there is even more to come from the pair and they will continue to play pivotal roles in the remaining five games in Group D.

The Scotland legend said: “I’m particularly pleased to see both Stevens doing so well. I’m very proud of them. I had both of them in the Scotland Under-19 set up a few years ago and they were a pleasure to work with. They were both dedicated young men.

“Naismith didn’t have a permanent position back then. So I would ask him to deploy himself in different positions, depending on the players we had available and the tactical approach we were taking.

“He never once complained. He got his head down and was a real team player. The reason I mention his exemplary attitude is because not every player set that kind of example.

“Take Ross McCormack. He could conjure something special on the park for the team, but he was a difficult professional to deal with. But he played because of his ability. Naismith, however, had the full package. He never caused me a problem. That’s also a credit to his family.

“I’m delighted he has gone on to have a good career at Rangers and Everton, especially at Everton. He’s a major player and makes an impact in the English Premier League, which is not an easy thing to do.

“Steven Fletcher will be delighted with his hat-trick against Gibraltar. It will have released a weight from his shoulders. He is a clever footballer.

“He was like that as a teenager, too, and I enjoyed working with him. He was inquisitive and wanted to know ways to improve.

“Now he will want to build on this. He will be keen to score some goals for Sunderland to make sure he is in a good frame of mind going into the next international game in June against the Republic of Ireland.

“Gordon will certainly want all his strikers to be confident.

“The two Stevens also both had the strength of character to come back from injuries and worked hard to get back to the very top level. That takes a lot of doing. I’ve a feeling both lads will have important roles in the next few games. Good luck to them.”

Gemmill still lives in England after his own playing career took him from St Mirren to Preston, Derby County and Nottingham Forest. He won the European Cup with Forest under Brian Clough.

But his heartbeat remains in Scotland and when he returns north of the border to play golf or take in a game of football, he refers to it as being ‘back in God’s country’.

He captained Scotland in more than half of his 43 appearances and scored eight goals, the most famous being his strike against the Dutch in Argentina.

Gemmill’s international career was coming to an end just as Strachan’s was starting, but they did overlap.

He took the national Under-20 side to the World Cup Finals in Canada eight years ago, and wants Strachan to be the first A team boss to go to a Finals since 1998.

Gemmill said: “What I’ve noticed is that, under Gordon, the players are being allowed to play with freedom and there is also great pace in the team.

“Every player is working his socks off. All the ingredients are there to be successful.

“Their results have got them into a really good position. I think the group will go to the wire but I’ve a feeling they will do it.

“Victory against the Republic of Ireland will take us a long way towards qualification. I also think Poland may fall off the pace a bit and Scotland can clinch second place behind Germany.

“Whether you play basketball, hockey or football, all you want to do is represent your country and making it to a major tournament is the ultimate.

“I was also fortunate enough to score for my country in a Finals and I still can’t quite put into words how THAT goal felt.

“But it’s about the here and now, and as a Scotland supporter, I want to see Gordon and the players do themselves justice and be in France in 2016.”

Martin O’Neill (left) and his Republic squad will provide the next obstacle when they meet in Dublin on June 13.

O’Neill and Gemmill were team-mates at Forest, and he knows only too well the hunger and desire O’Neill has to succeed.

He said: “Martin will be as determined as any manager to qualify. He’s had outstanding success in club football as a player and manager, and now he will be looking for something similar in this role.

“The Irish are still very much in with a chance and will have a huge say on the outcome of the Group. But it’s about what Scotland do and I think we have the players and the know-how to succeed.”