Scotland will compete in the Toulon Tournament next summer, marking their first appearance at the annual youth competition in 20 years.

Scot Gemmill will take an under-20 squad to the south of France in May to play in the 12-team invitational tournament, officially known as the ‘45th Festival International Espoirs – Maurice Revello Tournament’, with the aim of providing the country’s best young talents with top-level international experience.

Next year’s competition will feature three groups of four teams, and is set to begin on 29th May with the final taking place on 10th June.

Wales and Ivory Coast have already been confirmed as participants, with more nations set to be announced early next year.

The teams will comprise of players born in 1997 or later, all of whom will be eligible to participate in the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying matches, which get under way next September.

The Toulon Tournament first started back in 1967, initially featuring club teams, but has been limited to international teams since 1974.

Scotland have competed at the festival seven times previously, most recently in 1997 where the likes of Lee McCulloch, Gary Naysmith and Barry Ferguson cut their teeth before going on to earn full international honours.

England are the current holders of the trophy after defeating France 2-1 in the final earlier this year.

National youth team coach Scot Gemmill said: “The Toulon Tournament is one of the premier international youth competitions in world football, so we are really looking forward to taking part next year.

“A number of our players have already sampled tournament football having played in the finals of the UEFA European Under-17 Championships in recent years, and this will offer them another opportunity to test themselves against some of the best young talents from around the world.

“I believe we need to continually challenge our young players if they are to fulfil their potential, and the Toulon Tournament is a great platform for them to showcase their ability and pick up more international experience which will aid their development.”

For more information on the Toulon Tournament, visit the official website here...