Dundee and St Johnstone stars’ efforts undone as Belgium dent Scotland U/21s’ Euro hopes

by · The Courier

Scotland U/21s’ hopes of reaching the European Championship finals were dealt a blow as Belgium ran out 2-0 winners in Friday’s crucial qualifier.

Dundee’s Josh Mulligan and Lyall Cameron were named in Scot Gemmill’s starting XI, along with St Johnstone defender – and Dundee United academy graduate – Lewis Neilson.

But the Tayside trio were powerless to prevent the Belgians from bagging two second half goals that left Scotland needing an unlikely – albeit possible – pair of results in the final qualifying match.

If Belgium lose at home to Hungary AND the Young Scots win in Kazakhstan on Tuesday night, they will secure their place at next year’s tournament in Slovakia.

But any other combination of results will doom Scotland to another failed campaign, having not reached the finals since 1996.

Both Mulligan, who was involved in most of Scotland’s forward forays, and Cameron were substituted after Scotland fell behind.

Without them on the park, the Belgians added their second, decisive strike, to take Gemmill’s side’s fate out of their own hands.

Here are the best pictures of Mulligan, Cameron and Neilson in action.

Dundee’s Lyall Cameron (centre) warms up pre-match with Scotland team-mates, including (L to R) Daniel Kelly of Millwall and Kilmarnock’s David Watson. Image: Ross Parker/SNS
Dundee star  Josh Mulligan on his way to beating Belgium’s Mandela Keita to the ball with the score balanced at 0-0 in the first half. Image: Ross Parker/SNS
Lyall Cameron (right) keeps an eye on Belgium’s Samuel Mbangula. Image: Ross Parker/SNS
Mulligan (having his shirt tugged by Belgium’s Mario Stroeykens) was in the thick of the action before the break. Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Lewis Neilson (right) looks on as Belgium’s Arthur Vermeeren (centre right)  is shown a yellow card for simulation in the second half. Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Mulligan (centre) looks crestfallen after Belgium’s Lucas Stassin put Belgium ahead. The Dundee star was substituted in the aftermath. Dee team-mate Cameron followed before the Belgians added their second goal. Image: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire