Alex inspired by Burke’s ascent

sCOtLaND Under-19s defender alex Iacovitti reckons the rise of Nottingham Forest team mate Oliver Burke can provide inspiration for him and the rest of scot Gemmill’s team. the young scots face Bulgaria today in Croatia in the final game of their euro elite round after two losses to Belgium and hosts Croatia. Gemmill’s side was considerably weakened by the promotion of Burke and Celtic’s Kieran tierney to the first-team squad for tomorrow’s friendly with Denmark. Iacovitti admitted he was disappointed with the sacking of old Forest boss Dougie Freedman but reckons Burke’s progress proves there is a path for promotion under Gordon strachan. He said: ‘Oliver’s a great player. everyone who has played alongside him would say that. He’s had a good run of games at Forest, done well and scored a few goals. He’s someone who has taken his chance. He’s flying at the moment. ‘I’ve been doing well too and I’m captain of the Forest Under-21s. I’m training with the first team now, though it was disappointing to see the gaffer, Dougie Freedman, go. You have to take it on the chin and try to finish the season strongly. ‘He was good for me. He was great for the youth boys. He’d speak to us after training and you could get anything you wanted off your chest with him. He’s gone now and we have to move on but I have a lot of respect for him.’ Iacovitti refused to blame the absence of Burke and tierney for the scots’ poor displays. ‘Oli and Kieran are great players but they alone would not have made all the difference.’