McKie in scoring form

Scotland’s ambitions to reclaim their place among Europe’s under-18 elite are very much alive after a 2-0 victory over Austria in the EuroHockey Championship II at the National Hockey Centre in Glasgow, writes our women’s hockey correspondent.

Hanna McKie shepherded her team through to today’s semi-finals with a spectacular double.

It took just four minutes for the Cala sharpshooter to hammer in goal number one, aided and abetted by a great lead-in from Millie Steiger.

Her second was a DIY job as she polished off a smart interception with a snapshot that rendered keeper Marlies Gaider helpless just as the 20 minute mark came up.

Scotland’s shot-stopper Mairi Fletcher also had to be alert.

Set-pieces in the closing quarter failed to increase the margin as Scotland wrapped up their group undefeated to march into today’s semi-final against Belarus, who finished runners-up to France following the drama of penalties.

Today’s semi-finals: Scotland v Belarus (1.30pm), France v Czech Republic; relegation pool – Ukraine v Italy, Lithuania v Austria.