The 4 Celtic and Rangers youngsters to look out for as Scotland U21s take on Turkey

Scotland U21 kick off their Group I campaign with a host of fresh faces in the pool.

Ten English-based players were ruled out of the trip to Turkey due to UK Government quarantine rules, with boss Gemmill calling up nine new boys.

Among them are a range of Celtic and Rangers fledglings, but just who are the ones to look out for at the Bursa Buyuksehir Stadium later today?

Glenn Middleton

The Gers winger, on loan at St Johnstone again after winning the cup double with Callum Davidson’s men last season, is by far the most experienced campaigner in the group with 16 caps.

Add in the fact he’s scored three goals for the 21s, including two in his last three games, he’s a big threat for Scotland this evening.

Although he’s spent the last few terms on loan, including stints at Hibs and Bradford, the 21-year-old has another two years on his deal at Ibrox and has shown in the past he can cut it in a Light Blues jersey.

Any Rangers fans tuning in to the 5.30pm kick off, being broadcast live on the BBC Scotland channel, will have the chance to make their own minds up.

Stephen Welsh

Club boss Ange Postecoglou has challenged young Celtic defender Welsh to push for a call-up to the full national team on the back of his performances in green and white.

However, the 21-year-old centre-half will have to make do with a place in Gemmill’s group as he looks to add to his single cap so far.

A regular for the Hoops on the domestic and European scenes, he’s no stranger to a pressurised environment or two and will be expected to lead Scotland from the back.

Quick, aggressive and learning with every passing minute on the park, the future looks bright for Welsh, highly-rated by the Bhoys and contracted until 2025.

Stephen Kelly

Although there are plenty of bright Ibrox talents in the Scotland pool – Ben Williamson, Kai Kennedy, Lewis Mayo, I’m looking at you – it would be remiss to discount Stephen Kelly.

Will the 21-year-old central midfielder make the grade in Govan? It’s a tall order with the ability Steven Gerrard currently has to call upon in the middle of the park.

However, unlike his contemporaries aforementioned, crucially for the technically-gifted Kelly, he has not been farmed out on loan this season.

After impressing at Ayr United and Ross County in the last two campaigns, it appears Kelly – tied at Ibrox until 2023 – did enough in pre-season to suggest he’s worth keeping around.

Adam Montgomery

Montgomery is another Parkhead peewee Postecoglou has trusted early in his dugout tenure.

Getting minutes off the bench against Alkmaar, Jablonec and Midtjylland, the 19-year-old left-back has coped admirably with the responsibility placed on his young shoulders.

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More minutes tonight for Scotland against the Turks should stand him in good stead as he remains the Celts’ favoured deputy to Greg Taylor.

Like the rest of the young talents mentioned, it’s unclear whether Montgomery will ‘make it’ in the city.

It’s ever thus with Glasgow’s big two, but small moments in games like tonight’s can go a long way to determining paths.