Billy Gilmour wasn't involved in the Scotland first team fold when qualification for Euro 2020 was sealed three years ago.
David Marshall was the hero in a penalty shootout against Serbia as Steve Clarke finally ended the country's hiatus from major tournament football.
This week, qualification for next summer's European Championships was sealed after Spain's victory over Norway, which worked in favour of the Scots.
Gilmour has played an integral part in Scotland's midfield since bursting onto the scene against England in June 2021, and the Brighton player was delighted to be able to help the country on its way to Germany.
"We're really happy that we've qualified but we came here tonight hoping to get something from the match and to build on what we're preparing for the summer," the 22-year-old said fresh from scoring his first international goal against France. "They're a top team. We started so well but that's where we need to get to. They're a top team and we'll learn from this.
"We started off our qualification campaign really well, winning every game. Against Spain, we didn't do enough but we've got a great squad and when we go to the pitch we back each other. We just need to keep proving it on the pitch.
"I watched the Serbia game at home, I was in my living room bouncing around delighted. Now to be part of it, to qualify from the group, is a great feeling. We're ready to go.
"We have two more games in the group, we want to finish strong with wins and then we'll focus on the summer."
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Unlike in Belgrade, Scotland weren't the heroes on the night which sealed qualification.
Reflecting on watching Spain defeat Norway, Gilmour added: "We were all in the hotel watching the match. It was a good feeling of course. We put ourselves in that situation by winning all of our games. We thought we'd done enough before the Spain game.
"It was a good feeling, we made our country proud. We look forward to the summer. No, there was no karaoke. It was in the hotel, we had a nice night and it was good."
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