YOUNG SCOTS’ EURO BID ENDS IN AGONISING NIGHT
DONALD PARK’S youngsters were edged out of their Euro Elite Round in Germany after an astonishing game in which they came back from the dead —only to lose three goals in the last eight minutes. They needed to beat Norway and hope the Netherlands would take at least a point against the hosts in last night’s other group match. And it looked like the Scots would keep their side of the bargain despite going two goals down. An incredible transformation after the break saw them draw level and then go 4-2 ahead after a classy double from Rangers’ Glenn Middleton, a penalty from Jack Aitchison and a goal from his Celtic team-mate Kerr McInroy. But they collapsed in the final stages with Erling Haaland — son of former Manchester City star AlfInge — completing a hat-trick while Rangers’ Aidan Wilson was sent off after two bookings for conceding two penalties. Victory wouldn’t have been enough to qualify for the finals in any case as the Germans thrashed Holland 4-1 and had a superior head-tohead record. It was an agonising night for the Scots, with an ecstatic Norway topping the group and heading for Finland this summer. ‘Talk about rollercoaster football,’ said Park. ‘The disappointing thing was that we actually lost that game of football. We were great after the break and scored four great goals. ‘Norway threw caution to the wind, battered the ball up the park and we didn’t deal with it. I couldn’t see us losing another goal, let alone three, because we were in control. ‘We conceded two dubious penalties and at least one of their goals looked offside.’ SCOTLAND (4-2-3-1): Wright; Welsh, Wilson, Porteous, Shiels; McInroy, Watt; Gilmour (Rudden 85), Ferguson, Middleton; Aitchison.
RANGERS starlet Dapo Mebude bagged the only goal as Scotland’s Under-17s claimed an eye-catching 1-0 triumph over Germany. Brian McLaughlin’s side ended their Elite Round campaign in Greece with a flourish as the striker converted a Nathan Patterson delivery in the second half. Chelsea youngster Billy Gilmour, Hearts regular Harry Cochrane and highly-rated Hibs centre-back Kane O’Connor were among those to impress during the victory. But it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in May’s UEFA Under-17 Championships in England following defeats to Norway and hosts Greece last week.