Ricky Waddell played a key role in several Scotland stars’ development and he thinks we’re in for something special in the USA
Andy Newport
11:48, 29 Mar 2026Updated 17:51, 29 Mar 2026
(Image: SNS Group)
After three decades, Scotland’s golden generation is finally ready to pen the final chapter on the nation’s World Cup odyssey.
For much of the tale, the narrative has been one of heartache and disappointment.
But at long last the Tartan Army has a cast they can believe in to deliver a happy ending.
And there is no-one with more faith in the squad Steve Clarke is taking to North America than Ricky Waddell.
The former Rangers, Queen’s Park and Hearts youth coach knows some of the men Clarke is relying on, having been there to guide them as boys.
He helped skipper Andy Robertson rebuild his career after rejection by Celtic and played a part in the development of Dark Blue stars Billy Gilmour, Nathan Paterson, Lawrence Shankland and Aaron Hickey.
While they’ve all had different journeys to reach the national team, they all share a fierce determination to succeed.
And it’s those battling qualities that has convinced Waddell this squad can write themselves into the history books this summer.
“It’s that fighting spirit they all share that gives me hope,” said the 45-year-old, now managing Lowland League promotion hopefuls Caledonian Braves.
“It’s the warrior heart in that team. There are fighters like Andy, Shanks, Billy, Nathan and Aaron, who I worked with for a wee while at Hearts.
“They’ve all had their different journeys but each has relied on determination to get where they are. They had it as boys and I still see it in them as men.
“They’ve taken this Scotland team further than anyone has managed in almost 30 years and that’s why I am optimistic ahead of the summer.
“It’s a special group and I feel we’re in for a special summer.”
Few players have faced a harder fight to reach the top than captain Robbo.
Released by his boyhood heroes Celtic at the age of 15 on the grounds he was too small, the left-back has gone on to huge things having kickstarted his career at Queen’s Park.
That rejection may have stung but he’s used it to fuel a desire that has him approaching a century of Scotland caps having won two Premier Leagues and a Champions League crown with his current club Liverpool.
Ricky said: “I began working with Andy at Queen’s about a year after he was released by Celtic when he was about 17 years.
“You could tell he had drive and hunger but what stuck out with Andy was his fight – he had that never-give-up attitude.
“He was so fit and quick but obviously physically he hadn’t developed at the point Celtic decided to release him.
“While he maybe hadn’t filled out, he was starting to physically develop in terms of power and running strength.
“I was clearing out my garage recently and found some notes I’d done on him. I’d written down things about his consistency, his inner belief and drive, his hunger and that fighting spirit. It’s what you saw in nearly every game.
“Andy kept working and deserved his big chance when it came.
“It’s a testament to Gardner Speirs for putting Andy in at that age to give him the exposure.” Robertson’s path to the top was never certain but Waddell was as sure as he could be about a certain youngster he came across at Rangers.
In fact, so convinced was he of Gilmour’s star quality that former Falkirk, Partick Thistle, Hamilton and Clyde midfielder Waddell admits he felt under pressure himself to raise his own game while laying on coaching sessions.
He said: “Given my previous work in academy football, it’s something I’m pretty passionate about, trying to help younger players become better.
Caledonian Braves boss Ricky Waddell (Image: Niamh McInally)
“And Billy is the best example because he was different to anybody I’ve coached.
“With guys like Andy and Lawrence, you always felt they had a chance because they were so driven.
“But Billy was a superstar when he was nine. You felt he was destined to go all the way, that’s how good he was.
“Obviously there are never guarantees with young players but Billy was so diligent in his work, so good to work with.
“He always wanted to be the best at everything that he’d do.
“That put me as a coach under pressure because your sessions had to be on point.
“They had to be challenging enough to fit the calibre of player that you were working with and Billy’s potential was clearly high. I worked with him for a couple of years when he was a teen before he moved to Chelsea.
“If you remember his breakout game for Scotland was that night against England at Wembley in the Euros when he ran the show.
“Well he was exactly the same thing when I first came across him. He was just in control all the time and made everything look easy.”
But the real test for the Napoli star will come this summer in the USA as Scotland seek to escape their group for the first time.
Ricky said: “Billy’s at a stage now where he wants to make a real impact on the world stage. But as with the other lads, I see the determination in them to make sure this is an opportunity they take.”