Glasgow, 16, makes Docherty's Scotland U21 squad

What the report says

Sixteen-year-old Kyle Glasgow has been named in Tony Docherty’s first Scotland Under-21 squad, the BBC Sport Football report said. Glasgow is a forward on loan at Alloa Athletic from Rangers and has scored three goals in 10 appearances for the Scottish League 1 club. Docherty said the teenager’s form had earned him the call-up and pointed to the benefits of young players gaining first-team experience on loan in the SPFL system.

The squad announcement comes as Docherty prepares Scotland U21s for European Championship qualifying matches against Azerbaijan at Rugby Park on 30 September and Bulgaria away on 6 October. Scotland still have a slim chance of reaching the play-offs, but must win both games and rely on results elsewhere to overtake the Czech Republic. Portugal are top of the group and in position to qualify automatically for next year’s finals in Albania and Serbia.

Docherty, who replaced Scot Gemmill after 13 years in the role, included seven uncapped players in his first group. Among them are St Mirren defenders Henry Fieldson and Louis Jackson, and Manchester United’s Daniel Armer. BBC Sport also noted that the new coach wants to link development with a stronger winning mentality and more opportunities for young players to feature regularly at club level.

The Scotland Under-21 set-up is being reshaped alongside the senior team, with Belgian head coach Sebastien Pocognoli and former Hearts manager Steven Naismith involved in the wider coaching structure.