Tony Docherty optimistic and in full belief of his Scotland 21s side ahead of their remaining two Euro qualification games with his start so far bringing a new regime to Scotland National Team setup working closely with new first team appointment.
Scotland U21S manager Tony Docherty returns to the dugout to represent his nation in their last two Euro 2027 qualification games against Azerbaijan and Bulgaria.
His previous experience brings us to Dundee as of recent and now he faces a new challenge in a different age group and environment.
When asked on his thoughts on the new group he was full of optimism, “You know the first thing you get when coming in is you worry in everybody going to make it, everyone being here training every minute; there’s been a real energy and good synergy between the staff and the players, so cant speak any higher of their attitude and their enthusiasm.
Docherty went on to mention how the plan is to replicate the first team as much as possible after he went away to La Manga to see Sebastian Pocognoli’s new side and how they set up ahead of their nations league campaign.
“We’re just trying to replicate, you know, what’s happening at A squad is because, you know, I was over there. So I’ve been really, really impressed, really impressed with the squad.”
“Just in terms of the thinking behind Finlay and James coming back into the 21s. And really, it’s just what’s brilliant for me with the manager, Sebastian, is it’s like that club mentality, you know, and that’s what you would have at a club.”
With youngsters in Finlay Curtis and James Wilson being called back into the 21s for the idea of more game time expected than in the first team Docherty was full of praise and delighted he could have them around to provide that experience to the group.
“Finlay and James performed really well within the group for that week, but the feeling was like he would be in a club, you know, if the 1st team boys are doing well, you know, they get game time and reserves, if you like, you know what I mean and I know that’s just an analogy.”
“These boys have trained fantastically well in the A squad and now they’re going to get the game time that they need, you know, admittedly that they need for that as well.”
In terms of how the teams will play, Docherty mentions there’s a plan to mirror the first team in their style of play and philosophy that they have to replicate in order for that transition to be easier for the boys in rotation.
“Yeah, I think there’s more adaptability for 19s down you know, but certainly if you’re 21 because they’re the closest thing to it and that’s where we’ve been working all week and I’ve got to say they’ve really bought into it and I’ve been really pleased with the response I’ve got from them.
“A different style in that is in terms of like the way you want to play. If you looked over the games in this group, is there going to be a sort of different style for the way you want to play in these games going forward.”
