AND THE FUTURE ON THE PITCH IS LOOKING GOOD, TOO
Two-goal Fraser Hornby marks the late strike that gave Scotland U21s a 2-1 Euro Championship win in Holland and rekindled hope of making the finals:
HOLLAND U21S 1 SCOTLAND U21S 2
SCOT GEMMILL insisted this was the best his young Scots had played under him as they completed a double Dutch success to provide a fighting chance of reaching the Euro finals. A brace from Everton striker Fraser Hornby, which included a 40-yard strike — just a week after he grabbed a hat-trick against Andorra — was enough to hand Scotland a fine victory. Scotland now sit joint second behind leaders England with a trip to Ukraine and a home game against the Auld Enemy to come. The four best runners-up in the groups will go into a play-off. And Gemmill — who also masterminded a home win against Holland last year — was thrilled at the performance. He said: ‘It’s the best we have played when I have been manager. I don’t think you can underestimate how hard it is to come to the Netherlands and win. ‘Fraser’s first goal was another big moment from a big player.’ Gemmill’s men took the lead in the 54th minute when Dutch goalkeeper Justin Bijlow fluffed a clearance to Hornby, who launched the ball into the net from long range. The Dutch drew level when Teun Koopmeiners’s free-kick beat Robby McCrorie with the aid of a deflection. But the Scots won a late penalty. Lewis Ferguson was tripped by Pablo Rosario and Finnish referee Antti Munukka not only awarded Scotland a spot-kick, but sent off the Dutchman. Hornby netted from 12 yards to seal a famous victory.