HYPER ACTIVE
Gilmour and Burke live up to their billing as Scots superkids set up semi showdown with Auld Enemy
They have been hailed as two of the most mercurial Scottish talents of this generation.
And yesterday at the Toulon Tournament, Billy Gilmour and Oliver Burke lived up to their hype with two stunning goals which sealed a semi-final slot against England. The Chelsea midfielder – still only the tender age of 16 – and West Brom’s £15million winger put Scotland U21s in front inside eight minutes with a couple of brilliant finishes. Gilmour opened the scoring against South Korea with a curled effort before Burke hit a breathtaking second after galloping from his own half to net. Scot Gemmill’s boys struggled to keep up that level of quality and intensity for 80 minutes – with the Koreans pulling a goal back in the second half. But the young Scots hung on for the three points which put them top of the section after Togo failed to beat France in the other Group B game. Afterwards, goal hero Gilmour revealed that his first goal at U21 level was one of the best moments of his fledgling career so far. He said: “Glenn Middleton told me before the game he was going to cut the ball back from wide and I told him I’d be there. “He did it right away and I took a touch, looked at their keeper, then just placed it into the net. “I’ve had a few good moments but the feeling after that goal is up there, especially in only my second start. “The manager has given me a lot of confidence this week and to get seven points out of nine in the group is brilliant.” And gaffer Gemmill also heaped praise on his two star performers, Gilmour and Burke. He said: “We scored two outstanding goals today. “Olly showed his real power and he did it last year here with a goal against the Czech Republic. “I hope the goals are a snapshot of just how good Billy and Olly can be.
“We give the players this opportunity and they have to take it.
“Billy showed his level today. It’s not just his technical ability, it’s game intelligence and composure. “As for Olly, a lot of people are waiting to see him really fulfil his potential. He came here last year and scored an impressive goal. It was the same today.
“It’s difficult not to say ‘wow’ when he does that.”
The task for Scotland here was rather simple.
Without worrying about what Togo did against France later – they had to beat South Korea to give themselves a chance of reaching the last four.
And despite a historic 1- 0 victory over the French in the previous game, Gemmill tinkered with his starting line-up.
He wanted impact options from the bench so he left Celtic kid Michael Johnston in reserve with Rangers youngster Middleton given a chance to shine on the left wing.
The other change sprung a surprise with Cel t ic keeper Ros s Doohan recalled, even after Robby McCrorie’s wonder save that was pivotal in beating France.
On a hot afternoon at the Fos sur Mer, the strong breeze swirling around the Stade Parsemain helped the Scots initially.
And they got off to a dream start with two goals good enough to grace any tournament in the world.
The first was a thing of beauty from 16-year-old Chelsea ace Gilmour.
It star ted at the back f rom Doohan to Greg Taylor to Middleton on the flank.
He picked out Gilmour in the box and the composure the Chelsea lad showed in cushioning the cross, before curling a shot into the corner, was ridiculous for someone so young.
It was his first goal at U21 level and he’ll do well to score a better one.
Yet incredibly, it got even better for Gemmill ’s boys when skipper Burke produced the goal of the tournament so far.
He started a rampaging run in his own half, collected a flick from Fraser Hornby and charged 50 yards into the South Korea box.
When he got there, the after-burners came on which allowed him to stab the ball past keeper Seongjun Min.
It was a sensational goal from Burke and – along with his winner against France – has shown signs here of what he’s capable of.
Gemmill changed it again at halftime as he looked to keep his side fresh.
Anthony Ralston wasn’t performing well enough and was replaced by the squad’s other 16-year- old – Hearts defender Chris Hamilton.
In midfield, Iain Wilson came off, with Wolves youngster Eillot Watt getting his first taste of Toulon. The Scots were sloppy at the start of the second period and it irked Gemmill and Malky Mac kay on the sidelines.
They had a golden chance to kill the game off but instead put themselves on the brink of missing out on the semis.
Burke, despite his outstanding goal, was hooked for the third game on the trot because he’d drifted out the match.
Scotland were dropping too deep, trying to protect their lead, when there were still opportunities behind the South Korean defence.
Middleton almost exploited it from a terrific Watt pass over the top but his dink over the keeper was just wide of the target.
Gemmill’s team invited pressure on to themselves. They were too negative and South Korea’s goal was inevitable.
Doohan got a hand to Kangin Lee’s cracking 20-yard free- kick but he couldn’t keep it out of the corner.
From being in a posit ion of superiority, Scotland were up against it and having to grind out a win.
The South Koreans went for broke in a 3-1- 6 formation at the end. But Gemmill’s boys clung on to seal a semi slot against England on Wednesday.