GEMMILL SAYS HIS BOYS CAN COME OF AGE IN CROATIA

SCOT GEMMILL has backed his Scotland kids to go toe-totoe with Croatia on Tuesday when they meet in a European Championship qualifier — because most of them are first-team regulars now.

The young Scots started their Euro 2021 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 success over San Marino in Paisley, a win which should have been achieved with a greater margin.

But they face a far bigger test in Sibenik on Tuesday — when they meet the talented Croatians.

However, Gemmill (below) has backed his squad, which will feature the likes of Billy Gilmour, Ross McCrorie and Fraser Hornby in it, to challenge for qualification — something no Scotland Under-21s side has managed since 1996 — in a group that also includes Czech Republic, Greece and Lithuania.

He said: ‘We have the nucleus of a good squad now — I think we have something like 12 players from the last campaign who are eligible to play in this one. And I believe this age group are a really talented bunch. We have a lot of youngsters now in the squad who are established as first team players at their clubs.

‘I think there’s been a little bit of a change from the big clubs in Scotland because they are putting their young players out on loan, which gives them firstteam football. It’s great for them to get that opportunity.

‘It almost puts the ball in their court to show what they can do.

‘So if you look at the squad now, most of them have a lot of first-team football under their belts.

‘We have played Croatia and the Czech Republic recently at different age groups, so we have a fair idea what to expect. We’re looking forward to it and will give it a go.’

The Scots will be up against a talented Croatian team, including top prospect Luka Ivanusec. The Dinamo Zagreb midfielder became the youngest-ever scorer for the Croatia senior team two years ago when he netted as an 18-year-old, but is now back with the Under-21s.

Ivanusec said: ‘We have a really good squad full of players who have played at the Under-17s World Cup and the European Under-21s Championship. We expect a tough game against Scotland, but we’re hoping to qualify.’