BRITISH football is a tough playground, but even so Scotland's

Under-21s had to pass a stern test of skill and temperament in the Nikos

Goumas Stadium in Athens as they strove to resurrect their hopes of

qualifying for the European Championship finals.

AEK Athens' ground proved a killing field for Rangers in the European

Cup earlier this season, and if it had not been for the composure and

discipline of Scotland's youngsters on Saturday afternoon they, too,

would have suffered considerable trauma.

However, in the face of severe provocation, the young Scots beat their

Greek counterparts 2-1 and eased into second place behind Finland in

their qualifying section. Both goals were scored by Stephen Crawford,

whose progress from callow youth to Coca-Cola Cup final hero has already

been noted by Blackburn Rovers manager Kenny Dalglish, but Tommy Craig's

players struck a blow for justice as well as themselves.

The Greeks resorted to tactics which were frustrating, not to mention

infuriating, and in the case of the inappropriately named Angelos

Vilanakis, his conduct was totally unacceptable. The midfield player was

sent off in 63 minutes after he had spat at Charlie Miller.

Later the Greek under-21 coach, Billy Kollias, who earned his coaching

badges in England and Scotland, said: ''This is not the way to play the

game. Now I have to think whether or not to banish Vilankis, because

this is not the first time he has done something like this. I was very

surprised at the physical approach of the Scottish side, but, yes, I do

accept that tackling is a part of the game, while spitting isn't.''

The French referee, Georges Ramus, had gone to the Greek dressing room

at half-time and warned that if Vilanakis did not calm down he would be

ordered off. Foolishly, the player did not heed that warning.

Throughout the first half, when Greece were dominant, Vilanakis threw

himself about and demonstrated an ability to play-act which could earn

him a career in the movies.

Miller, who had a quiet debut and was substituted only a minute or so

after Vilanakis had gone, said: ''I've never experienced anything like

it before. It's something I'd like to forget, mainly because I don't

think I played well.''

The Rangers player will be given other opportunitities to demonstrate

his talents, and so will Dundee winger Neil McCann. He was sent on to

replace Falkirk's Kevin Thomas early in the second half and it was then

that Scotland began to open up and create opportunities.

Their first goal was engineered in 74 minutes, when Gary Bollan

threaded a pass through to Crawford and he thumped the ball into the

net. A man and a goal up, it seemed certain Scotland would triumph, but

10 minutes from time Stylianos Giannakopoulos scored with a powerful,

20-yard shot.

The Greeks probably felt they could hold on and take a point, but

three minutes from the end Bollan's shot was parried by the keeper and

Crawford had only to nod and Scotland had won a valuable victory.

''I am very happy with the discipline shown by my team in trying

circumstances,'' said Craig, even though four of his side, captain Neil

Murray, Christian Dailly, Thomas, and Miller, were cautioned. ''The

Greeks may say they were surprised by our physical side, but I have to

say that a game of football without tackling is not a game of football.

''I don't want to go into the incident involving Miller, but you saw

what happened. It was despicable.''

Crawford, who has 18 months of his current contract to run, said: ''I

have no intention of asking for a transfer, but hopefully I will go on

and play at a higher level.''

The Scots now have six points from three matches and are three points

behind the Finns, who have maximum points from their three ties. They

beat Scotland in Finland in September, ''but,'' as Craig points out,

''having beaten Russia and now Greece we are back in contention. In

fact, we may even be in the driving seat.''

GREECE -- Kelpekis, Alexis, Zikos, Theodoridis, Grigoriou, Kasampis,

Maledenis, Passalis, Vilanakis, Tsakmakidis, Nicolaidis. Substitutes --

Giannakoulos, Kefalas, Podas, Tsakenakis, Sadanis.

SCOTLAND -- Kerr (Celtic), McNamara (Dunfermline), Marshall (Arsenal),

Dailly (Dundee United), Baker (St Mirren), Thomas (Hearts), Murray

(Rangers), Hannah, Bollan (both Dundee United), Crawford (Raith Rovers),

Miller (Rangers.) Substitutes -- Stillie (Aberdeen), Donnelly (Celtic),

McCann (Dundee), Johnston (Hearts), Hood (Ayr United).

Referee -- G Ramus (France).

Current standings

............P.W.D.L.F.A..Pt

Finland.....3.3.0.0.9.3..9

Scotland....3.2.0.1.4.3..6

Greece......3.1.1.1.8.6..4

Russia......2.1.0.1.4.2..3

San Marino..3.0.0.3.0.11.0

Next matches: March 28 -- San Marino v Finland, Russia v Scotland.