Age-old problem tackled.

IT has come 20 years too late for Scotland's shattered shot at World Cup glory - but FIFA are finally clamping down on the use of over-age players at youth tournaments.

Football's governing body have ordered competitors at next month's Under-17 World Cup to undergo bone tests to determine their age.

The decision follows reports that host nation Nigeria hoped to select a number of players who were too old - and is designed to wipe out a form of cheating that spans decades.

Scotland were victims in 1989 when they lost the Under-16 World Cup Final on penalties to Saudi Arabia at Hampden.

Suspicion Several of the Saudis were clearly over the age limit but it couldn't be proven.

Now FIFA plan to carry out MRI tests on wrist bones to catch out the likes of defending champs Nigeria, who have a history of success at youth level but have been dogged by suspicion for years.

A FIFA statement said: "MRI of the wrist can identify players who are definitely above 17 years. It is reliable, evidence-based and safe for the player."

Players from the 24 competing nations - including Brazil, Spain, Japan and the United States - will be randomly selected for testing.