The babes who can muscle way to big time

TWELVE NIGHTS, four games, three stadiums, two hotels and one Oliver Burke column.

It’s been an eventful couple of weeks in Marseille at the Toulon Tournament with Scotland’s Under-21s.

It ended in disappointment for Scot Gemmill’s boys with a 3-1 defeat to England in Wednesday night’s semi-final.

And that feeling of regret, at what could have been, will probably linger with these young players for a while yet.

A goal up and cruising against the Auld Enemy at half-time in Aubagne, a place in the Final for the first time in 51 years was in their grasp.

A lack of belief and energy, after a gruelling four games in 11 days, cost Scotland.

England’s sheer depth of quality was also a factor.

At 1-0 down, they had an arrogance that has won them everything at this level in the last couple of years.

While the Scots, after impressing to get ahead,

Campbell was excellent against the French and the best performer against Togo. He can be a cornerstone.

Up front is where this group have an X-factor rarely seen in a Scottish team and at this level we can be devastating on the counter-attack.

Everton striker Fraser Hornby is the targetman. A physical specimen at 18, he’s fantastic in the air and skilful on the deck.

Gemmill also has genuine, blistering pace in the shape of Burke and Mikey Johnston.

The way the Celtic winger drove at England’s defence, gliding past three men before scoring, must have got every Scot off their seat.

And then there’s Burke. On his game he is breathtaking and if he puts it all together can be a world beater.

The whole of Scotland – myself included – are desperate for him to do well.

For once with Scotland, optimism – and hope – might actually be justified.