Young guns demonstrate that we have a future crop of playing and managerial talent to harvest

MUCH more interesting than the glorified fundraising exercise carried out by the senior squad, or what’s left of it, across Peru and Mexico has been the progression to the semi-finals of the Toulon Tournament by Scotland’s Under-21s.

Billy Gilmour, still only 16, has shown that the hype surrounding him is only going to intensify. He stood out in the midweek win over France Under-20s and laid the foundations for yesterday’s win over South Korea with a splendid finish.

It is impossible to watch the Chelsea lad demand the ball, be vocal and express himself and not get carried away.

It is similarly difficult to watch Oliver Burke and not feel there still might be something there that could be harnessed at a higher level. Look at his goal yesterday, using strength and pace to surge through the Korean defence before producing a deft finish.

Despite having £27million of transfers under his belt, he has wasted two years at RB Leipzig and West Brom. Now 21, he’s too old to be forgiven for being raw. Up his game intelligence and use next season in the Championship as a springboard and he might yet join the likes of Kieran Tierney, Andy Robertson and Scott McTominay as part of the country’s longer-term future.

But most compelling, perhaps, is what lies ahead for manager Scot Gemmill. There are a number of people within the game who believe he will be back in the frame when Alex McLeish goes.

Although the Under-21s’ European Championship campaign stalled badly in Andorra, two more wins in Provence would be a good way to set about reinforcing his credentials.