Scotland will learn their opponents for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying round when the draw is made in Nyon on Thursday morning (8am UK time).

Scot Gemmill’s side will be drawn into one of nine qualification groups, each containing six teams.

Scotland are in Pot D and will face one team from each of the other five pots.

The teams will play each other home and away with the nine group winners qualifying automatically for the final tournament to be held in the summer of 2019 in Italy.

The four best runners-up will compete in a play-off for the remaining two places.

Players are eligible for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship if they were born on, or after, 1 January 1996.

National youth teams coach Gemmill believes the competition can help accelerate the careers of Scotland’s brightest prospects.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to the draw and discovering our opponents.

“We can expect some tough fixtures as there are a number of very good teams taking part but knowing the players, they will relish that challenge.

“This is an important stage of their development and I’m confident they will make the most of their time with us.

“A number have already tasted football at this level and the campaign will provide them with more opportunities to learn and improve.

“We have an exciting year ahead with the Toulon Tournament in May and the start of the under-21 qualifying campaign, both of which will provide the players with the kind of experience that will help them in their bid to become full internationals.”

POT A: Germany, Portugal, England, Spain, Denmark, France, Sweden, Czech Republic, Serbia
POT B: Slovakia, Israel, Netherlands, Austria, Croatia, Belgium, Poland, Switzerland, Slovenia
POT C: Ukraine, Norway, Russia, Turkey, Romania, Iceland, Greece, Montenegro, Finland
POD D: Wales, Bulgaria, FYR Macedonia, Georgia, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, SCOTLAND, Moldova, Albania
POT E: Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, Latvia, Estonia
POT F: Malta, Luxembourg, Northern Ireland, Faroe Islands, San Marino, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar, Kosovo

The draw will be streamed live on uefa.com