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SCOTLAND kid Tom Lang reckons he had to grab his first goal for his country for the uncle who flew from America just to see him play.

The Birmingham apprentice was on cloud nine last night after his first-half opener set Mark Wotte’s Under-17s towards an impressive win over Bosnia Herzegovina in their European Championship qualifying opener.

The Braveheart bairns sit top of their Elite Round qualifying group and confidence is now deservedly high ahead of tomorrow’s crucial match against favourites Belgium at Cappielow.

A second-half penalty from Dundee hitkid Craig Wighton tied up last night’s morale-booster at Rugby Park.

And afterwards defender Lang revealed how much his goal mattered to him because his uncle Robbie had flown more than 4000 miles to see it.

Lang said: “I’m absolutely buzzing. It was my first goal for Scotland and I can’t even explain the feeling.

“It was such an important goal because my uncle flew over from America to watch me. So the

pressure was on.

“There were seven of my family including my mum and dad Gavin and of course my uncle.

“I’m proud they got to see me play and to score was even better. You could see from my celebration what playing for Scotland means to me. I put my heart on the line for Scotland.”

After Belgium’s goalless draw in the early kick-off against Romania in Greenock, this Rugby Park clash presented a golden opportunity for the Scots to get their qualifying campaign off to a flier.

And they grabbed it with both hands, inspired particularly by Wighton and Kilmarnock first team star Greg Kiltie.

The Killie kid certainly looked at home as he played a vital role in both goals but Scotland could have been ahead even before Lang’s 20th-minute opener.

Three minutes in, Aidan Nesbitt’s through ball sent Wighton scampering into the box to unleash a quick finish he was unlucky to see crash off the far post.

It set the tone for the home side who controlled the game with their high tempo and crisp passing.

Aside from Sanjin Lelic’s drive from distance, held by Rangers keeper Robby McCrorie, the Scots looked comfortable and thoroughly deserved their opener when it arrived in 20 minutes.

Kiltie’s delicious delivery from a free-kick was begging to be attacked and Lang showed the desire to get on the end of it with a well-timed run and bullet header from eight yards.

The dominance continued with Kiltie causing havoc down the left flank and skipper Jack Breslin flashed a shot inches wide when a corner broke to him in the box.

Lelic copped a 32nd-minute booking for crashing in late on Nesbitt as the Balkan side

struggled to cope with Scotland’s pace and movement.

It was no surprise when they extended their lead in the 57th minute. Again Kiltie was involved, forcing Kemal Osmankovic into conceding a penalty.

And Wighton showed great maturity to tuck a clinical finish into the bottom right corner.

Wotte said: “I’m very pleased with their mature way of playing and managing the game.

“The guys showed unbelievable fighting spirit and mentality to get in front and see the game out.”