There was a double disappointment for Scotland’s u-20 side as they lost to Mexico and Cruzeiro in the u-20 Den Haag Cup today.
After finishing runners up to Cruzeiro in Group A Scotland faced Mexico at lunchtime in the semi-final after the central American’s had topped Group B.
Mexico took the lead in the third minute but Callum McGregor equalised from the penalty spot shortly before half time.
The game seemed to be heading towards a penalty shoot-out but eight minutes from full time the Mexican’s scored direct from a free-kick to book a final place against Borussia Monchengladbach.
Scotland had drawn with Cruzeiro 24 hours earlier thanks to a goal from Tony Watt but a second half penalty ensured that it was the Brazilians that finished in third place.
The tournament brings to an end a very long season for the eight Celtic players involved.
As well as winning the domestic double for the third season running- setting a record tally in the SPL and winning margin in the SFA Youth Cup- the players have experienced the first ever Next Gen Series.
Without doubt playing in the mini Champions League has accelerated the development of the squad with Marcus Fraser, Dylan McGeough, Tony Watt and Filip Twardzik sampling first team football while Joe Chalmers and McGregor were listed as substitutes in the Europa League ties against Rennes.
Taking the next step forward is the toughest test for any emerging player but given an even share of the breaks a couple of the players in Ricky Spragia’s u-20 sqyad will go on to make as big an impact as James Forrest has on the Celtic first team.
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