Five Rangers players were involved with Scotland U16s on a landmark afternoon in Wales.
The young Scots drew 1-1 with the host nation, to ensure the two teams share the 2019 edition of the prestigious Victory Shield.
Scotland successfully negotiated their three fixtures unbeaten. Dire Mebude scored in a 4-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in the first match before the squad earned a goalless draw against Northern Ireland second time out.
Mebude and defender Kelsey Ewan started today’s decider against the Welsh, with fellow Gers, Jack McConnell, Harley Ewan and Mackenzie Strachan amongst the substitutes.
With the teams unable to be separated, and NI drawing with the ROI in the day’s other match, the Scots and the hosts were both declared winners.
“The players have been fantastic all week and this title is just reward, not only for how much effort they have put in but also how much quality they have played with throughout,” Head Coach Stuart McLaren told ScottishFA.co.uk.
“They have given us a real indication that they can develop into good professional players and international players for Scotland.
“The tournament experience will give them a huge insight into the levels required of international football but should also give them belief they are more than capable of playing at that level.”
It must have been a great feeling for these teenagers to sample competitive international football and to walk away with something to show for it, too.
The fact that there were five Rangers players in the squad shows just how strong the club is at this age-group, with the club’s U16s the current holders of the SuperCup NI and the Albim Cup.