SFA keep it low key over Celtic appointment

Scot Gemmill has been explaining the decision to bring Stephen McManus into the Scotland u-21 set up.

After being involved with the Celtic first team last season the former hoops defender is now working alongside Darren O’Dea with the Celtic B squad.

Scotland’s u-21 squad have been in the doldrums for a number of years with results uninspiring and very little direct progress from the u-21 step up into the full international squad.

In their most recent European Championship campaign Scotland finished fourth in the five team group with one win and four draws from their eight matches.

Explaining the introduction of McManus, Gemmill told Glasgow Live:

It’s about the players and us trying to provide the best environment and we think Stephen can help us do that. We had Peter Houston working with us. He’s got a great job and he decided to concentrate on that.

Stephen also has a full-time job, so it’s at the discretion of his club manager. It has to fit for Stephen and his job, so we’ll see how we go.

Hopefully we can both make it work. It was important that we picked the right kind of person. Stephen can help the players’ development and preparation, but it also needs to be correct off the pitch.

The way Stephen conducts himself is excellent. He’s very experienced and he’s a former international. Steve Clarke was keen for the person we got to have international experience, so he ticks a lot of boxes. He’s well-connected and knows people.

There has been no comment on the SFA website about McManus’ appointment, having someone with a live club role involved in the Scotland u-21 set up may concern some clubs.

Conor Barron of Aberdeen isn’t in the squad for two friendlies against Northern Ireland but was linked with Celtic following the June u-21 internationals.