ANY Scotland fans looking for a glimmer of optimism in otherwise troubling times may wish to head to cast an eye over the under-17 side in the coming days. Starting this evening at the Paisley 2021 Stadium, the young Scots will take on Montenegro, Switzerland, and Serbia in the elite round of the European Championships, looking to book their place in this summer’s finals for a fourth successive year. Having beaten hosts Portugal, Wales and Malta without losing a goal in qualifying to reach this stage, expectation among the squad is high.

“I think this Scotland team is capable of a lot,” said Norwich City midfielder Glenn Middleton. “It’s the best Scottish team I’ve been involved in and there is strength in every area. There is a good record at this age group and nobody wants to be part of the first squad in a while not to qualify. But I definitely feel with this squad we are more than capable.

“I’ve played in the last two finals and hopefully I can use those experiences in a good way, like if we need to sit in and defend a lead, or know when to push for a goal. I’m one of the more experienced guys in the squad I think. We have a long unbeaten run which shows that we are very capable. If you look at the sides we’ve beaten there have been no easy games there.”

Middleton, born on the first day of the millennium, is thought highly of at Carrow Road. He signed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday and has already featured in the first-team squad this season.

“I signed my first professional deal in January and then I was on the first-team bench for the FA Cup tie away to Southampton,” he added. “That was a massive boost for me. I’ve already been playing at under-23 level for the past few seasons so it was nice to get an opportunity to travel with the first team as well. Hopefully I’ll get that chance again soon to show I’m capable of doing it at that level.

“It’s a good club for developing young players and it’s a close-knit group. There are no big egos or anything like that. Everyone wants to help everyone else. I moved there from Northampton when I was 12. I went to a boarding school for three years and then my family decided to move up with me. It’s a lot better having them around.

“It’s been great being able to talk to the senior guys every day because we share the same training facilities. They’ll come over and say hello and maybe comment on one or two things that could maybe help. Wes Hoolahan and Russell Martin have been especially good for me, coming over and making you feel more welcome.

“Playing with the under-23s every week has toughened me up. I know in my head now that I can compete with boys at under-17 given I’m doing it at a much older level on a regular basis. That helps me going into games.”