Scotland crashed out of the u-19 European Championships after a 5-4 defeat from Norway.
Donald Park’s side were trailing 2-0 at half time, raced into a 4-2 lead then lost three late goals as the Norwegians pipped Germany to qualification despite the Germans beating Holland 4-1.
At one stage during the second half Scotland topped the group when they led 4-2 with Germany and Holland level but a defensive collapse resulted in another hard luck story.
There was a shock for Robbie Deas and Daniel Church when the team was announced with the Celtic defenders left on the bench despite playing their part in a clean sheet against Holland on Saturday.
That move backfired badly when Sevco starlet Aidan Wilson gave away a penalty in the 41st minute with Norway doubling their lead just before half time. Wilson’s night was to get much worse with a second red card issued after the Norwegians fifth goal.
Celtic’s Kerr McInroy sparked a comeback when he netted in the 50th minute with Greg Middleton levelling the scores five minutes later.
McInroy’s Celtic team mate Jack Aitchison put Scotland in front from the penalty spot in the 61st minute before Middleton seemed to secure the win by putting Scotland 4-2 in front with attention switching to the Germany Holland match.
As the Germans raced into a 4-1 lead Scotland’s hopes ended, incredibly Norway scored three times in the 82nd, 84th minute and in stoppage time past Sevco shot stopper Kieran Wright.
Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is a long running trait of the national side, that fate seemed sealed as soon as Deas and Church were left on the bench.
Sevco star-maker Craig Mulholland was a guest of the SFA throughout the tournament.
SCOTLAND: Wright (Sevco/Albion Rovers); Welsh (Celtic), Wilson (Sevco/Dumbarton, Porteous (Hibs), Shiels (Sevco); McInroy (Celtic), Watt (Wolves); Gilmour (Arsenal), Ferguson (Hamilton), Middleton (Sevco); Aitchison (Celtic)