CAPPIELOW is set to host three international football matches next week, including a Scotland Under-17s UEFA European Championship elite round game against Belgium.

Scotland’s Group 6 rivals, Romania and Belgium, meet in Greenock on Monday in the opening fixture in the second qualifying round for this summer’s tournament in Malta. Kick-off is at noon.

Coach Scot Gemmill then brings his Scotland youth stars to Cappielow for the marquee match against Belgium on Wednesday night, with kick-off set for 6pm. Belgium will be back at the Sinclair Street venue to face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final group match on Saturday 29 March. That one starts at 3pm.

Looking ahead to the matches, SFA performance director Mark Wotte said: “The elite round is a great opportunity to give the boys the best experience at the highest level. It is going to be tough against three very good opponents but we have proven in the past that we’re not afraid to play against Romania, Belgium, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

“It is encouraging that we are on the right track, and it is also encouraging for the clubs who are producing the players who are capable of competing at the highest level.

“It is very hard to qualify for the finals since only seven nations, plus the host nation, Malta, will be taking part, so if we can pull it off I will be delighted.” Scotland’s 18-man squad has been announced as: Goalkeepers: Robbie McCrorie (Rangers) Devlin McKay (Kilmarnock) Defenders: Cameron Ballantyne (Dundee United) Jack Breslin (Celtic) Kyle Cameron (Newcastle) Sam Wardrop (Celtic) Jake Sheppard (Reading) Tom Lang (Birmingham) Midfielders: Ross Finnie (Wolves) Michael Kelly (Aberdeen) Aidan Nesbitt (Celtic) Joe Thomson (Celtic) Forwards: Steven Boyd (Celtic) Ryan Hardie (Rangers) Greg Kiltie (Kilmarnock) Calvin Miller (Celtic) Craig Wighton (Dundee) Scott Wright (Aberdeen) Admission for all three fixtures has been set at £5 for adults and free for children under-16.