Billy upbeat despite his pitch hitch.

Byline: Euan McLean

BILLY STARK last night vowed not to let a pitch problem derail Scotland's bid for glory in their Under-21 European Championship clash in Austria.

The young Scots were denied the chance to test the surface at the Maria Enzersdorf Stadium because Austrian officials wanted to protect it for tonight's qualifier and the visit of Albania onWednesday.

That goes against usual UEFA policy to allow visiting teams a chance to try out a venue on the eve of a match.

But Under-21s boss Stark - who has already been forced to alter his plans following the withdrawal of striker David Goodwillie on Thursday - says he won't let it affect his unbeaten side's bid to grab a win that would put them in command of Group 10.

He said:"We were expecting a good standard of pitch here but I think they have had some issues with it because there has been some heavy rain and a lot of traffic on it.

"The boys went to the stadium but they were just walking on the pitch. We'd have preferred to have trained on it but I don't think that is crucial.

"I don't know if it is just a guideline from UEFA that teams are allowed to train at the ground before a game but Austria are not training on it either. Or I'd like to think they're not training on it if they are trying to save the pitch for the game."

While the Scots are sitting pretty at the top of the group with two wins from their opening double header against Albania, the Austrians are looking to get off the mark after losing their opening game to Belarus.

Stark is in no doubt the home side will come out with all guns blazing - but he vowed his players will not just sit in and try to hold out for a draw.

Quality He said: "The Austrians do a lot of things similar to us in the way we are trying to play - quick tempo, trying to play through defensive midfielders and use their offensive wide players.

"They were very attack-minded in Belarus, had more chances than the home side and could have won. The point is away from home they went out to try to win so we can expect them to have that approach at least, plus maybe a bit more.

"We've made a good start to the campaign but we are not just judging ourselves over two games because we know there is much better quality opposition to come."