SCOTLAND UNDER 17s boss Brian McLaughlin insists his young kids will learn from a disastrous opening game at the European Finals in Israel.
The young Scots lost a goal in the eighth minute and it was an uphill struggle from there in Lod after trailing 3-0 by the interval.
Celtic youngster Magnus Mackenzie netted a fine goal to reduce the deficit, but naive defending when they were trying to chase the game saw the talented Portuguese add two more goals in what was a harsh lesson for the Scottish youngsters, who were outclassed.
McLaughlin said: "We were playing against some of the best at this age group in Europe and we are a very young team. Portugal are one of the potential winners.
"But it's great experience for the boys. They need to learn and they will because that was a sore one.
"They are all very low just now and they should be. But they need to realise we have another game on Friday and we have to go and perform better. And we're still in the tournament.
"I made the decision and I stand by it, to go with the youngest squad at the Euros. Look I wanted to bring them over for the tournament and really test our young players because that's the only way you learn."
Scotland got off to the worst possible start when they went a goal down after just eight minutes when Benfica starlet Ivan Lima lashed the ball into the net past Rangers keeper Jacob Pazikas and they netted twice more before half time through Jose Rodrigues and a Joao Veloso penalty.
Scotland pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute when Mackenzie drove forward, cut inside and produced a superb right foot finish into the corner of the net to give Scots some hope.
Miller forced a fine save from Portugal keeper Diego Fernandes from a free kick, but from the resulting corner, Scotland somehow had their furthest back player midway in Portugal's half and Afonso Moreira ran 70 yards unchallenged before finishing.
Portugal's fifth goal came in the 73rd minute when Rodrigo Ribeiro produced a fine finish with the young Scots' heads well down.
