Gemmill’s boys exit Euros with consolation win

SCOTLAND’S Under-19s salvaged some pride with a consolation victory over Bulgaria in the UEFA Elite Round in Croatia yesterday. Goals from Rangers’ Ryan Hardie and a penalty from Kilmarnock’s Greg Kiltie secured the win, but Scot Gemmill’s boys were already out of the running to qualify for this summer’s Finals in Germany before the dead rubber in Kostrena. Having lost to both Belgium and Croatia without scoring a goal, their fate was already sealed and it’s now 10 years since Scotland last qualified from an Elite Round. The general air of doom and gloom about the future of Scottish football was hardly helped when our Under-17s were thrashed 4-0 by Denmark in their Elite Round group before this match kicked off. But Gemmill’s side just about deserved to win and he insisted his side deserved some praise. ‘It’s frustrating for us,’ Gemmill said. ‘Croatia were definitely the best team, but losing to Belgium in the first match was critical. ‘I admit Croatia are a better side than we are — but I wouldn’t say the same about Belgium. ‘The pleasing thing for me is that my players showed a lot of spirit and character to bounce back with a win after losing the opening two games.’ Scotland dominated at the start and grabbed their first goal of the tournament in the 15th minute when on-loan Raith man Hardie headed home from captain Jack Breslin’s cross. Bulgaria levelled just before half-time when skipper Aleksandar Georgiev scored. But Scotland secured victory when Kiltie converted a penalty on 78 minutes.