Scot Gemmill was thrilled as Scotland Under 21s blew Kazakhstan away in Paisley to take a step closer to Euro 2025.

The young Scots produced an exciting and powerful first half display which could and should have yielded more goals than the three from captain Josh Doig, Dundee's Lyall Cameron and a penalty from Tommy Conway.

Lewis Fiorini added a fourth after the break before the visitors grabbed a consolation.

It puts Scotland joint top with Spain, having played a game more, with the nine group winners and the three best runner-ups qualifying for the Finals next year in Slovakia automatically and three more from a play-off.

Scotland haven't reached a Finals since 1996. And Gemmill was delighted at the strength of his team's performance, which he reckoned was on a par of previous wins on his watch against the likes of Brazil, France, Netherlands and Croatia.

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He said: "I think you could see we had a few players back who we didn’t have at the end of last year. You could also see the level and we had a lot of chances to score so really pleasing.

"I think it’s really good we can look forward to the rest of the games with confidence.

"You have to beat teams like this and it's not easy but they've shown they can do it. It’s about mentality as well as talent and it was all on show.

"In terms of qualification it's brilliant we're in the position we are. I don't look at the table but I'm aware of the results we've had.

"But it's very difficult and we have to keep going game by game because to qualify for the 21s finals you almost have to be perfect.

"You have to get over 20 points, probably more than that. It is very difficult and that's why I constantly try to add context in terms of developing young players.

"That's what this age group is about but I understand people want to see the team do well, we all do."

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Scotland took a stunning lead in the 20th minute after a brilliant strike from Sassuolo wide man Doig. Kieron Bowie showed strength to bolt free on the right wing and cut the ball back to the onrushing Connor Barron.

The Aberdeen midfielder failed to catch his shot right and the ball spun wide to Doig for the ex-Hibs man cracked a brilliant left foot shot into the top corner.

Four minutes later saw Scotland double their advantage and again Northampton Town striker Bowie was heavily involved. He was simply too strong for the visiting defence as he cut inside and teed up Cameron to power a low shot into the corner.

Bristol City striker Tommy Conway twice went close as Scotland threatened to run riot in the first half.

The third did arrive in the 38th minute from the penalty spot when keeper Temerlin Anarbeko cleaned out Conway from Rangers defender Leon King's long ball and the striker duly despatched the spot kick himself.

Scotland continued where they had left off and netted their fourth ten minutes into the second half when Conway unselfishly fed strike partner Fiorini who easily netted.

Kazakhstan netted a consolation from the spot when Ibane Bowat was adjudged to have fouled Danil Ankudinov and Yan Trufanov beat Ipswich Town keeper Cieran Slicker.

SCOTLAND (3-4-3): Slicker; King, Morrison, Bowat; Johnston (Devine 75), Barron, Cameron, Doig; Bowie (Mebude 60), Conway, Fiorini (McKinnon 75).