Middleton happy to feed off Gilmour’s top service

GLENN Middleton insists he is relishing his new role as a striker for Scotland Under-21 because he knows Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour will be able to provide him with plenty of service.

Scotland’s youngsters got their Euro 2021 campaign off to an acceptable start after a 2-0 win over the group’s no-hopers San Marino. Although the end result was relatively modest, Scot Gemmill’s side played some attractive football and should have won by more.

Rangers wide man Middleton, who is currently on loan at Hibs, was used as a striker by Gemmill after Fraser Hornby picked up a knock. He netted a goal and could have had a few more in Paisley and will have no complaints if he’s chosen to play as a striker again in Tuesday’s qualifier in Croatia.

Gilmour was a class act on Thursday and, after he made his full Chelsea debut last week, he’s surely on borrowed time at Under-21 level with promotion to the senior squad just a matter of time. And Middleton enjoyed getting the service provided by the former Rangers midfielder.

He said: “If teams give him time then Billy’s going to hurt you. When he’s on the ball you know he’s going to find you. It’s up to us to make the movements for him because he will find you and I feel we have a good understanding.

“Against San Marino, we knew coming into this game it wasn’t going to be easy. No international games at this level are easy. It’s a good three points. We knew which game plan San Marino were going to come with and it was just about being patient and trying to break them down.

“Yes, we had a couple of chances which we could have scored or else it would have been more. But you get three points for winning 10-0 and you get three points for winning 2-0.

“Obviously, Croatia is going to be another step up for us. The coaches will give us a game plan, but it’s down to us to carry it out. I think we are very strong in all positions. I’m happy to play wherever I’m asked to play for club and country.”