Gemmill gutted as classy Croatians kill off young Scots’ Euro hopes

but I’m sure it’s the same for every team. I’m sure every team had to adjust their team in some way. I definitely wouldn’t use it an excuse.

“Sometimes in football you get beat by the better team. Croatia were very impressive and scored some very good goals. But we have to remember the level we are playing at.

“Of course we are disappointed and we didn’t expect this to happen, but if they are going to be playing football for next 15 years then they need to learn that it happen.

“We need them to develop and learn from this. Yes, we are disappointed, but hopefully in the future they will use this experience to become better players.

“It’s about them using this experience. This should be a motivation, although right now it’s disappointing and raw.”

After an early chance for Scotland, when Rangers striker Ryan Hardie fired an angled effort over the bar, the hosts took command.

They made their pressure pay with the opening goal in the 36th minute when Antwerp striker Fran Brodic, with his back to goal, received the ball from a corner and executed a perfect back heel past Robby McCrorie and into the net.

Hardie had a couple of opportunities before the break to restore parity, but could take neither and it got worse for the young Scots two minutes after the interval when Croatia killed the game off after Tomislav Turcin was left completely unmarked to head home.

The home side were comfortable by this stage, although Scotland at least pressed more in the second half. They managed their first shot on target in the 69th minute, but Hardie’s attempt was easily saved.

The contest was well and truly over with 13 minutes left when a well-worked free kick caught out Scotland and Josip Brekalo cracked in a flashing drive.