Gemmill joy at draw as young Scots go to top of their group

Scot Gemmill was delighted as his Scotland Under 21s side topped the group following a point in the Czech Republic which could and should have been three, writes Mark Walker. The young Scots were held to their second goalless draw in five days in Uherske Hradiste. But they have now collected an impressive four points out of six from two away games against the top two seeds in the group – Czech Republic and Croatia.

The visitors produced a mature display with the defensive partnership of George Johnston and Ryan Porteous particularly outstanding. And they probably missed the two best chances through Fraser Hornby, pictured, and Ross Mccrorie.

Manager Scot Gemmill said: “It was a really top performance. It’s the perfect game for our best young players. It was really fast, really competitive – top level against good players and the players are tested to the limit physically, mentally and tactically.

“They came up with the answers. Of course, it would have brilliant if Fraser had taken arguably the best chance of the game. But I’ve got nothing but praise for the players in terms of what we’re asking them to do and their ability to come away in a difficult game. The central defenders were immense. That is so good to watch, to see two players with the mentality to say ‘you are not scoring in our goal’

Scotland wasted a golden chance to take the lead in the 32nd minute when, from a free-kick, Ryan Porteous nodded into the path of Mccrorie, who headed over from point-blank range. Hornby missed an even better opportunity after the break when he look certain to convert Daniel Harvie’s cross from the left wing, but the giant striker got the ball caught under his feet and it trickled straight through to Jedilicka. The Kortrijk striker, on loan from Everton, was denied again by the Czech No 1 when he tipped his header from another Harvie cross over the bar. From the corner, Harvie stabbed the ball into the net, but the ball was in the hands of Jedilicka and it was disallowed CZECH U21s: Jedlicka; Holik, Chalus, Plechaty, Granecny; Janosek, Sadilek; Vanicek (Bucha) , Matousek (Havelka 70), Hlozek; Sasinka. Subs not used: Trmal, Lingr, Rusek, Kral, Klima, Smejkal, Soucek. Booked: Plechaty, Sasinka

SCOTLAND U21s: Robby Mccrorie; Ross Mccrorie, Johnston, Porteous, Harvie; Campbell, Gilmour, Middleton (Maguire 62); Magennis, Hornby, Reading. Subs not used: Doohan, Smith, Mcintyre, Scott, Mclennan, Ferguson, Kelly, Henderson.