Scotland Under 21s manager Scot Gemmill stressed the positives after a 2-0 defeat to England.

He said his side had faced "some of the best players in national youth team competition".

England, who had already qualified for next summer's European Championships, made ten changes for the clash at Tynecastle.

But they still won comfortably thanks to goals from Reiss Nelson and Kieran Dowell.

The young Scots' hope of qualification ended with a 3-1 defeat against Ukraine in Kiev in their previous fixture and they remained in fourth place in Group D with 14 points from ten games.

Gemmill said: "It was a great experience for the players. I think it is 14 out of the squad can play again (in next campaign).

"To play against players of that calibre, of that speed, is exactly what all of us want for our best young players.

"We don't like to lose, like to concede goals but that is what they need, to see the speed of play, to see all the different aspects of the game - mentally, physically, tactically - is what the best players in the country need and it was great to have that experience today

"To take it to the last two games says a lot about our best young players. I am looking forward to carrying it on again and continuing this process."