AITCHISON AT THE DOUBLE TO PUT PARK’S YOUNGSTERS ON BRINK OF QUALIFICATION

A SECOND-HALF double from Celtic starlet Jack Aitchison handed Scotland a thoroughly deserved win against the Dutch in their Elite-Round tie in Germany yesterday.

Now Donald Park’s young side can qualify for the European Under-19s finals this summer in Finland for the first time in 12 years if they can defeat Norway in their final game on Tuesday and hosts Germany fail to beat Holland.

Scotland were superb in Arnsberg and although Aitchison will rightly get the plaudits, Everton’s Fraser Hornby was a class act as he bossed the game.

The unexpected win — Scotland were 12/1 with the bookies ahead of this game — left Park thrilled.

He said: ‘If you looked in the dressing room after the game, you could see what it meant to the boys. It’s a shot in the arm.

‘It was a thoroughly deserved win for us and we’ve got a real chance of qualifying now.

‘Jack scored two cracking goals but everyone in the team was superb. Big Fraser Hornby was terrific. I think he’s got a real chance in the game.’

Scotland, Germany, Holland and Norway all sit on three points after two games thanks to the Norwegians — who were hammered by Holland 6-1 on the opening day — surprisingly thrashing hosts Germany 5-2.

It means that a Scottish win and anything other than a victory for the world champions against the Dutch will see Park’s side qualify.

Scotland were denied the opener after Hornby cut back for Rangers’ Glenn Middleston, who saw his effort saved by PSV keeper Mike van de Meulehof.

They took a deserved lead in the 65th minute after Hornby had shown pace and power to burst through to feed Middleton. He teed up Aitchison, who took a touch before firing the ball into the top corner.

The Scots had to defend for their lives, with captain Aidan Wilson of Rangers and Celtic’s Stephen Welsh immense, but they stunned Holland with nine minutes left when Aitchison tapped in a rebound after Lewis Ferguson had a shot blocked.