WE'VE GOT WORLD AT OUR FEAT

SCOTLAND 3-2

TURKEY

GOAL hero Jamie Adams last night insisted Scotland can be crowned European champions after they dramatically booked a place in the semi-final.

The Kilmarnock youngster headed home the opener before strikes from Steven Fletcher and Michael McGlinchey sent Archie Gemmill's babes to the brink of the last four, where they will face Austria.

But a late Turkey fightb ack saw the deficit reduced to one goal and the Scots were made to sweat further as they waited on the result from the other Group B clash.

But our rivals to second spot, Portugal, could only draw with Spain and the results saw Scotland reach this stage of the event for the first time since 1982.

And now Adams reckons they can lift the trophy.

He said: "When we went three goals up I think we got a wee bit excited but we managed to hang in. It was incredible and when the referee blew the full-time whistle it was unreal.

"We can win it as we're in the last four and anything can happen.

"I knew if we beat Turkey we'd be in the semis as the b oys had it in them to do it and it's great credit to Archie and Tommy Wilson.

"Everyone here is a good player and we're good enough to win it. After all we've qualified from the hardest group.

"Our players are much better than people think and this result proves a point to the whole world."

The runners-up spot in Group B also ensured a place for the Scots in next year's Under-20 World Cup in Canada and boss Gemmill couldn't hide his delight at a result he claimed was never in doubt.

He said: "I thought it was an exceptional performance although for the last few minutes we were under incredible pressure.

"We could only hope that something would happen in the other game and thankfully it did.

"TommyWilson deserves immense credit for his coaching as he works much harder than me.

"I'm pleased for everyone and we are now going to Canada to play in the biggest competition you can get - the World Cup.

"When was the last time a young Scottish side qualified for a World Cup and even if it ends here, that's some consolation for the whole country."

Scotland will be without key midfielder Charlie Grant . He is suspended for the semi-final and the gutted Celtic starlet is banking on a win to line up a dream return in the final.

He said: "It's a hard one for me to take. I knew straight away that I would miss it but I'll be the team's biggest fan in the next game.

"I will wish whoever comes in for me all the best as we're a close squad."

Gemmill was ruthless in his team selection. Out went Robert Snodgrass, Garry Kenneth and Mark Reynolds with Adams, Ryan Conroy and McGlinchey their replacements. It was a bold formation and the big news was the inclusion of Hearts kid Calum Elliot who had recovered from a hamstring strain.

The early signs looked ominous as the Polish hosts had misplaced the Flower of Scotland CD and only hasty rehearsals by the local flute band saved the day.

It was a brave effort but the national anthem was about as inspirational as a funeral march.

However, the tempo of the match early on seemed to suit Scotland, who were almost left savouring a dream start after 12 minutes.

Simon Ferry played in Fletcher who had the goal at his mercy from 18 yards but he pulled his shot agonisingly wide.

Four minutes later McGlinchey could only stab a Conroy cross across the face of goal as another gilt-edged chance slipped away.

The early momentum was slipping away from the Scots as they fried in the 40- degree heat. Arda Turan was running the show from the midfield and his run allowed Mevlut Erdin to fire in a shot which shaved McNeil's bar.

Remarkably Gemmill's boys grabbed the opener three minutes before the break.

Conroy swung over a free-kick from the right for Adams to power a header past Volkan Babacan.

But as the Scots celebrated, news filtered through that Portugal had also taken the lead, a scoreline that inched us closer to the exit.

However, the SPL kids were in no mood to feel sorry for themselves and they doubled their advantage two minutes after the restart with a goal made in Glasgow's east end.

Parkhead kid Grant fed Conroy wide on the left and his inch-perfect cross was met by clubmate McGlinchey to side-foot low into the corner.

Within seconds the news got a whole lot b etter with Spain equalising and the tartan terriers going 3-0 up when Lee Wallace created the chance for Fletcher to cut inside and bullet a supreme effort past Babacan.

Five minutes later Turkey pulled one back after Cafercan Aksu's swerving free-kick. The deficit was further reduced in the 72nd minute after Cuthbert's handball allowed Aksu to fire home from the penalty spot.

It made for an excruciating last few minutes but the young lions held their nerve to progress.

SCOTLAND -McNeil, Cave-Brown, Wallace, Grant, Cuthbert, Ferry, Elliot (Dorrans 84) Fletcher, McGlinchey (Snodgrass 88) Conroy (Kenneth 76) Adams. Subs not used: Fox, Dorrans, Cameron, Gilmour, Reynolds.

Taken from the Daily Record