The last thing we want to do is let ourselves or our country down
Scotland qualified for the Under 20s World Cup thanks to a goal from Hearts' Callum Elliot. However, he is keen to top that effort with another goal in the finals in Canada. A year on from that memorable run to the final in Poland, where Scotland were eventually beaten 2-1 by Spain, the Tynecastle striker has progressed to the under-20 team that starts its World Cup campaign against Japan in Victoria on Sunday. Elliot was one of Scotland stars last summer as most observers were stunned to see them finish as runners-up at the European Championships. The highlight for the young marksman, who is set to be a key player for the Scots again this time round, was undoubtedly his header in a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic at the semi-final stage. Yet Elliot believes hitting the target in Canada, and helping Tommy Wilson and Archie Gemmill's side to do well in the prestigious event which has launched the careers of Diego Maradona, Marco van Basten and Ronaldinho, would surpass that achievement.
Elliot said: "Scoring that goal in the semi-finals of the European Championships was great but to score in a World Cup would be amazing. You want to score in every game you play in but to score on a stage like this would be unbelievable, one of the best moments of my career. We're all working hard on the training ground because, as a Scotland player, World Cups don't come along all that often and we are desperate to make the most of this chance. I was reading that it is going to be one of the biggest sporting events in Canada's history and it's really exciting to be a part of that. There is a massive incentive to go over there and do well as it would put you in the spotlight not only in Europe but all over the world."
Elliot is well aware of the need to get the competition off to a winning start. He went on: "The first game is always massive "To go there and get three points would be a huge boost for us. If we can win our first game it would give us a great chance to progress. We want to finish top of the group but the main thing is that we go through. If everyone pulls together I think we can definitely do that. In the European Championships we did better than anyone would have expected and I think that has rightly raised expectation levels. We haven't been beaten in a friendly since either so we are full of confidence. Because of what we have achieved we want to do well and are probably expected to do well. The competition gives a lot of players the opportunity to really make a name for themselves and I'm sure they will all want to take it. I think the main thing for us is to play to our strengths and focus on doing what we do well. It worked for us at the European championships and hopefully it will work well for us in now. The last thing we want to do is let ourselves or our country down."
