HORNBY HELPS KEEP SLUGGISH SCOTS ON TRACK
EVERTON kid Fraser Hornby’s superb headed equaliser saved Scot Gemmill’s side from an embarrassing defeat in their opening match of the Toulon Tournament in France yesterday. The young Scots finished third in this prestigious competition last year but they will need to improve markedly if they are to hit such heights again after a sluggish display against African minnows Togo in Aubagne. Their next game is against hosts France, who thrashed South Korea 4-1 in the group’s other game yesterday, but Gemmill is convinced his team will improve. ‘We can definitely do better. The first game of the tournament can be particularly challenging,’ he said. ‘When you concede a really early goal you always make it difficult. But we recovered well, created a lot of chances and should have won. It’s disappointing but there were a lot of positives. Last year, we started with a loss here and went on to do well. So we need to get our heads up and push on.’ Togo stunned the Scots by taking a third-minute lead. Celtic defender Anthony Ralston took a fresh-air swipe while trying to clear and Thomas Wogodo easily converted past young Parkhead keeper Ross Doohan. Scotland, who had a decent claim for a penalty inside the opening minute when captain Oliver Burke was barged off the ball, eventually clawed their way back into the game in the 18th minute — Hornby equalising with a powerful header at the back post. Scotland missed a sitter with the last kick of the first half when St Johnstone’s Jason Kerr shot straight at the keeper from a couple of yards out. Gemmill’s side were struggling to break down a well organised Togo and it proved too much for SFA performance director Malky Mackay, who was warned by the fourth official after one complaint too many. Togo’s Victor Mensah was sent off in injury time for a poor challenge on Ralston. SCOTLAND (4-2-3-1): Doohan; Ralston, Kerr, Porteous, Taylor; Wilson, Campbell; Burke (Wighton 69), Wright (Burt 51), Johnston (Middleton 77); Hornby (St Clair 90).