Three Celtic youngsters have this afternoon moved one step closer to ending Scotland under-21’s 24-year drought.
Indeed, Scotland’s youth team produced a tremendous comeback against Croatia at Tynecastle today after coming from 2-0 down to secure a vital point.
The result means that qualification for the UEFA Under-21 Euros is now in the Scots’ hands. Awn in their final group stage match in Greece on Tuesday night and they’ll end a 24-year wait to qualify for a European Championship.
The last time a Scotland-under 21 side made the Euros was all the way back in 1996. However, today’s character-filled draw against the Croats sets up a mouth-watering clash on Tuesday.
From a Celtic perspective, young goalkeeper Ross Doohan was the standout as he managed to play 90 minutes. Unfortunately, both David Turnbull and Stephen Welsh, also called up, were left as unused substitutes.
However, don’t be surprised to see both of them in action on Tuesday against Greece as Gemmill will almost certainly look to mix things up.
Doohan plays his part; Turnbull and Welsh still have a role
As for tonight, Croatia’s goals were sublime. Doohan, currently spending the season on loan at Ross County, could do nothing about the quality of the goals scored. You’ll do well to find a keeper who would’ve saved either of them.
He did manage to stay composed however, and showed some good distribution under pressure as he kept the Croatian youngsters at bay for the rest of the evening.
That allowed Scotland to stage a dramatic second-half comeback. Glenn Middleton and Connor McLennan got the goals that kept Scotland’s fate in their own hands.
Should they only manage a draw against Greece, they’ll have to hope that the Czech Republic also don’t win their match final match against the Greeks beforehand as well as pray that Croatia somehow don’t beat Lithuania at home. Greece, who still have two games remaining, have to win both whilst hoping Croatia lose to Lithuania too.
So a massive well done to the young Scots on a big point tonight. Had they lost, the route to qualification would’ve looked a lot trickier for them.
As it stands, Doohan, Turnbull, and Welsh are now 90 minutes from making their own small piece of history. Hopefully, all three can have a role this time.
In other news, a Parkhead youngster appears to have found a new mentor; discloses details of their discussions.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
