Archie Gray might come from Scottish football royalty but great uncle and Leeds United Eddie admits the Tartan Army shouldn’t get their hopes up for a new hero.
The 18-year-old was snapped up by Spurs for £40m in the summer after coming through the ranks at Elland Road, where grandad Frank and brother Eddie became legends. Midfielder Archie has been on the SFA wish lists for years but has come through the English youth set up and is already part of their under 21s. There was some hope Steve Clarke could tempt the kid by fast tracking him towards the senior side.
Gray is convinced the young gun will flourish under Ange Postecoglou with Spurs – but it’s the Three Lions who are more likely to get the benefit. When asked if he could twist Archie’s arm, the former Scotland star said: “I doubt it now, to be honest. He’s captained England school boys and he’s in their under-21s already. He’s still only 18.
“So, it’ll be difficult. We just need to wait and see. When you go to school in England and play in their youth system, it makes it more likely I suppose. Archie has grown up watching all the English boys playing and then playing with a lot of English boys in the youth teams. It’s the same with his brother, Harry. He’ll be a good player as well.”
“We were down in London, after Leeds played on the Friday night. We went down on Saturday morning and saw Archie and he’s very excited. He’s got a lot of talent. He’s only young, still only 18, so it’s a big, big move. But I don’t think it will bother him. He’s a level-headed boy. And he’s got confidence in his abilities.
“He’s going to be working under a terrific manager. He likes the manager, he loves the manager. There were a few teams after him, but I think meeting the manager and how he conducted himself swung it for Archie. I think he’ll help Archie and I think he’ll do very well at Spurs.”
Gray knows Scotland could do with some fresh blood and some world class talent – like his old Leeds and Scotland pal Billy Bremner. The Elland Road great was back in Scotland this week unveiling a plaque at Bremner’s old street in Stirling.
It’s half a century since the midfield terrier was starring for Scotland, but there’s a reason he’s still loved today. Gray said: “First and foremost he was a great talent. But then you had his aggression, his will to win. He was a rebel.
“He was barely 10 stone about 5 ft 5ins and yet would have taken on anyone. There’s the famous picture of him and Dave McKay squaring up, and that summed up Billy. Although I think they caught that picture seconds before Billy realised it was a bad idea taken on Dave, you’d need to be really daft to fight with Dave McKay! But it’s that thing Scots love. The wee guy, with red hair, a real character, he epitomised an entire country.
“We might be wee but we’re not scared of anyone. It didn’t matter if he was up against Beckenbauer or Pele – he was the best. That was his attitude to the game and that is why he was loved so much.
“We could do with a Billy these days, that’s for sure. Look, it was a bit of a let down at the Euros, but they did well to get there.
“Steve’s been getting a bit of criticism but you have to look at the entire scene. In the days when Billy and myself played, you had three, four, five Scottish boys at all the top clubs in England. You also had the likes of Rangers and Celtic doing well at the top level in Europe. It’s tough for Steve as he has done well with the squad he’s got.
“I know a lot of work has gone into the academies and so on and you hope eventually that might help get us producing players for the future. But at the moment Steve has to work with what he’s got.”