Scotland U21 Croatia U21

SCOT GEMMILL believes Billy Gilmour will learn from the red card which will deny him the chance to lead Scotland to next summer’s European Under-21 Championships.

The Chelsea midfield starlet was sent off for mouthing off at Italian referee Michael Fabbri just moments after being introduced against Croatia from the bench.

Gilmour was looking to take command of the game as Scotland fought back from two goals down but his moment of madness after giving away a foul means he will now sit out his team’s final Group 4 clash against Greece next Tuesday.

Gemmill stuck up for the 19-year-old, insisting Gilmour did not mean to insult the officials and has backed the former Rangers youngster to grow on the back of his mistake.

A win in Athens will see Gemmill’s boys become the first Scottish Under-21 side to qualify for a tournament since 1996 but Gemmill believes his team can cope without their Stamford Bridge playmaker.

He said: “Billy is a very honest player. He did swear but he didn’t mean for it to be in the direction of the referee.

“There’s a little bit been lost in translation but we will have to deal with it. It’s another development step for Billy. But the team reacted in the right manner and we’ve managed to come out with the right result.”

Scotland got off to a nightmare start at Tynecastle as Nikola Moro and Kristijan Bistrovic’s stunning long-range strike put Igor Biscan’s visitors ahead.

Substitute Glenn Middleton handed the Scots a lifeline after being introduced at the break before Croatia were reduced to 10 men when Borna Sosa was dismissed.

Connor McLennan then grabbed the all-important equaliser but there was no late charge from Gemmill’s team as they also found themselves a man light after Gilmour’s dismissal a minute later.

The result leaves Scotland level on points with the Czech