Hockey: Young Scots set sights on promotion

SCOTLAND coach Derek Forsyth is confident, but also cautious, going into the European Junior Nations Trophy in Vienna where promotion to the elite Championship level is the aim.

Although the Scots are favourites to top the pool competition involving Wales, Italy and Azerbaijan, Forsyth is far too long in the tooth to take a semi-final place for granted. "We played Wales in the recent Celtic Cup and although we won comfortably 6-0 in the end, we cannot take for granted we will get the same result, after all it was goalless at half-time. As for the other two teams, I know little about them, but will have the chance to see them play before we take them on," said Forsyth, who has only Chris Grassick missing through injury

Meanwhile, Rhona Simpson, coach to Scotland's under 21 women, has survival as her target in the elite European Nations Championships in Lille starting this weekend, with Belarus, Spain and champions Germany as the initial obstacles in the pool competition.

"It'll not be easy but we have the capability, and with a little luck on our side we can make it," said Simpson.