Dundee United defender John Souttar may have suffered international heartbreak but he can still benefit from being away with Scotland’s under-19s.
That is the opinion of Tannadice assistant boss Simon Donnelly, who is glad the big central defender has been getting more competitive football after being out injured for so long.
Souttar and his fellow young lions drew 1-1 with Croatia in Austria yesterday to end their European Championship campaign undefeated but out.
They still missed out on the finals as a result of being pipped by the host nation, who simultaneously beat Italy 2-1 to top the group.
So it will be the Austrians, not the Scots, who will head to Greece in July for the eight-team final event.
That will be a disappointment for Souttar but Donnelly still feels the 18-year-old can benefit from both the experience and the game time.
“It has been a frustrating time for Soapy because of the injuries he has had this season,” said Donnelly.
“He did his ankle in pre-season and really struggled to recover from that.
“He got an awkward one with the ankle because as a player you are always twisting and turning but he couldn’t do that because of the damaged ligaments.
“He has come back a couple of times since but had setbacks and that’s been frustrating for him.
“That meant that he has not played as often for us as he would have liked.
“However, he did well at Celtic Park in our last game there and I thought he showed again how he can handle the big stage.
“He is comfortable on the ball, can see passes and is a real asset for us when breaking from the back.
“Soapy still has a bit to learn because he is still a young kid but he does seem to thrive on those kind of games.
“It was the same with Blair Spittal and it was good see a couple of young guys coping with that.
“In fact, they don’t just deal with the pressure they revel in it.
“They now need 50 games then 100 (Souttar is currently on 43) for United and then they will be a huge plus for the club.
“So I think with a few games for Scotland will do Soapy the world of good.
“He wanted to kick on this season on the back of a good one for him the year before.
“Now, though, he will come back stronger.”