I still see Scott as a 5-year-old running rings around the rest.. even though he's a Scots hero

Progress makes mentor so happy

- GAVIN BERRY

SCOTT MCTOMINAY sent Hampden wild as he produced on the biggest stage against the former world and European champions.

But even as he was slaying Spain at a raucous National Stadium, the fellow Scot who helped send the midfielder on the road to stardom as a five-year-old could still see the little kid he first worked with on the pitches of Preston.

Dundee-born Charlie Jackson, co-founder of Matrix Soccer Academy in Clitheroe, was head of Manchester United's North West Development Centre when he first met McTominay.

The 53-year-old knew even at that age the midfielder was a special talent.

Jackson was delighted McTominay chose to represent Scotland. The midfielder was born in England and even met Gareth Southgate but then Scotland boss Alex McLeish won the battle for him to pull on the dark blue.