Euros in reach for Sbragia’s star kids
ITALY U19s 0 SCOTLAND U19s 0
SCOTLAND Under-19s are just a win away from qualifying for the European Championships after coming desperately close to beating the Italians in Austria yesterday.
After a victory against the hosts in their first game, Scotland’s stalemate against Italy in Lindabrunn means that, if they beat Croatia in their final Elite Round game on Tuesday, they will qualify for the Finals in Greece in July.
That would bring some vindication for under-fire boss Ricky Sbragia, who faced huge criticism this week for omitting Real Madrid’s Jack Harper from his squad.
Not surprisingly, the former Sunderland boss was delighted with the point won against a team packed full of youngsters from the likes of Roma and Inter Milan.
‘We’ve given ourselves a real chance now,’ said Sbragia. ‘We came to try and qualify and this is the best position we’ve been in four years of the Euros.
‘That was the idea of it. All four countries are still in the mix and we’ve got a tough game against Croatia because they’re a fantastic side as well.
‘We knew what we were going to be up against. And the good thing about this squad is that they stick together. We’ve had them for a few years now and there’s a real bond there. They mix well and they’ve been brilliant for me.
‘We’re now in a position we’ve never been in since I was in charge. If we beat Croatia, we’re through.’
Scotland could easily have beaten the Azzurri yesterday, with Celtic’s Paul McMullan and Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna coming close to handing them the win, although Rangers keeper Liam Kelly also had a fine game after he made several stops.
‘It would be a massive achievement if we were to qualify,’ said McMullan. ‘We are such a close group in there and for us to qualify together would be brilliant.
‘I think it was a great result. We were under a lot of pressure in the first half, but the defence held it together well. In the second half I thought we could have maybe nicked it, and I had a couple of good chances myself.’
Kelly did well to keep out a shot from Vittorio Parigini in the 16th minute.
McMullan was unlucky not to give Scotland the lead midway through the second half, after Angus Beith had burst down the right and squared the ball, but his effort was blocked right in front of goal.