Young Scots open Uefa Elite Round with excellent win over Turkey
Scotland Under-19s got off to a terrific start in their bid to qualify for their first Euro pean finals in 13 years with a 3-1 win against Turkey.
Billy Stark’s youngsters are in Portugal to take part in the Uefa Euro Elite Round and were up against the Turks in their opening Group Six game in Felgueiras.
Goals from Falkirk striker Zak Rudden – on loan from Rangers – as well as Celtic defender Robbie Deas, on loan at Cowdenbeath, and Coventry City starlet Jack Burroughs gave the young Scots a deserved win.
Stark was able to include Chelsea wonderkid Billy Gilmour, as well as Rangers winger Glenn Middleton and Celtic midfielder Ewan Henderson, who were all allowed to drop down to the under-19s rather than the under-21s, who are in Spain for two friendlies, against Mexico tomorrow and Sweden three days later.
The strong U19 line-up paid off, despite Turkey levelling on the stroke of half time through an own goal from Rangers defender Jordan Houston.
Scotland face Cyprus on Saturday at Rio Ave and a win could set up a vital last game showdown against hosts Portugal in Boavista’s stadium in Porto on Tuesday.
Scotland haven’t qualified for the finals at this level since they famously reached the last stage of the European Championships in 2006 in Poland and narrowly lost to Spain.