CAPPIELOW played host to a party last night as Scotland secured their place at this summer’s UEFA Under-17s Euro Championship in Malta.

The Scots went into this elite round qualifier knowing that the preceding results in group six meant they could top the section with a victory against their Belgian counterparts.

And they went about achieving that goal in a manner which left everyone in attendance at the Greenock ground highly impressed.

They forced the issue against the talented Belgians, combining aggression and desire with a technical style of football played at a high tempo.

Despite dominating the majority of the first half, which lasts 40 minutes at this age level, Scot Gemmill’s side fell behind against the run of play on 28 minutes.

Jeff Callebaut dissected the home defence with a wonderfully executed pass which span in behind and held up perfectly for Paolini Bertaccini.

The Club Brugge midfielder then squared for club mate Dylan Damraoui to slam under Scotland goalkeeper Robby McCrorie.

Scotland showed a great mental resilience as they responded to the setback by raising their game rather than accepting their fate.

Celtic’s Aidan Nesbitt was sensational on the night, and he thought he had restored parity on 36 minutes when he smashed a volley into the net from 15 yards.

However, his celebrations were cruelly cut short by a mysterious offside flag, which was later revealed to have been raised for a Scots player standing in the eye line of the Belgium keeper.

At the opposite end, barrel chested Dundee United central defender Cameron Ballantyne was cutting an impressive figure.

And he made a crucial contribution right on half-time by getting back to prevent Callebaut from scoring a certain second goal with a miraculous goal-line block. That intervention took on a whole new significance in the second period as Scotland came from behind to run out convincing 3-1 winners.

Nesbitt, who had moved inside from out on the right at the break, drew his side level on 44 minutes, weaving his way deep into the box before sweeping under Belgium keeper Quintijn Steelant.

The Scots continued to pile on the pressure, with Celtic’s Michael Kelly causing pandemonium with the quality of his set-pieces.

And it came as little surprise when Ballantyne glanced an inswinging Kelly corner in at the near post to give the hosts the lead.

And Scotland’s first qualification for a major tournament since the Under-17s went to the 2008 Euro Championship in Turkey was secured in the 64th minute.

It was another Kelly flag-kick which did the damage as towering Newcastle United left-back Kyle Cameron directed a header back towards goal and sub Jake Sheppard supplied the finishing touch.

The full-time whistled sparked wild and wonderful scenes of celebration, both on the pitch and later in the home dressing room.

Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of the evening was the manner in which they had achieved qualification.

It was attained in real style against much-fancied opponents and with a group game, against Romania, to spare.

On the night, they were physically and technically superior to a Red Devils squad who simply could not live with them.

If they can live up to their undoubted potential, this is a group that offers real hope of a bright future for long-suffering football fans in Scotland.

Scotland (4-2-3-1): McCrorie (6); Wardrop (7), Ballantyne (8), Breslin © (7), Cameron (8); Kelly (8), Thomson (7); Nesbitt (9), Wighton (6) (Miller 77, 2), Kiltie (6) (Wright 48, 6); Hardie (6) (Sheppard 63, 7).

Subs not used: Boyd, Finnie, MacKay (gk).

Bookings: Thomson (80+2), Sheppard (80+4).

Belgium (4-1-4-1): Steelant (6); Verkindere (6), Leyder © (6), Faes (5), De Maeyar (5); Cavus (6); Bertaccini (8), Damraoui (7) (Vershueren 73, 3), Weymans (6) (Schrijvers 65, 3), Vlietinck (6) (Verreth 57, 4); Callebaut (7).

Subs not used: Morias, Wouters, Van Landschoot, Jackers (gk).

Booking: Verkindere (56), Leyder (69). Attendance: 436.