Tony Docherty has been appointed Scotland Under-21 head coach, with Steven Naismith as his assistant. The 55-year-old former Dundee and Ross County manager previously served on Gordon Strachan's Scotland backroom staff and assisted Derek Mc Innes at Aberdeen and Kilmarnock. Naismith, 39, was assistant to Steve Clarke for nearly a year before Clarke departed following the World Cup campaign. Sebastien Pocognoli was recently named Clarke's successor as senior national team manager.

Docherty replaces Scot Gemmill, who held the position for almost a decade. He expressed enthusiasm about the new role and his partnership with Naismith, stating he has "so much respect for as a coach, as a player, and as an individual."

The new coach revealed he held several lengthy conversations with Scottish FA chief football officer Craig Mulholland and met with Pocognoli during the appointment process. He emphasized alignment on creating a clear national team identity and improving every aspect of the national game, including a unique new initiative to support clubs and foster collaboration for real growth.