A young mascot was banned from walking out onto the pitch with the Scotland team - because he's too tall, reports the Scottish Sun. Kyle McIlroy, 11, had been looking forward to standing next to his football heroes.

But organisers decided the 5ft primary pupil would make Scotland's midfield look small at last week's friendly with the Faroes.

And in a last-minute switch, they told Kyle he'd have to accompany an opposition player on to the park.

His Dad told how the youngster was left gutted. Robert said: "Kyle's dream was to walk out with captain Darren Fletcher.

"But they said he was too tall for our players - Kris Commons is 5ft 6in, Shaun Maloney 5ft 7in, and Barry Bannan just 5ft 5in.

"He was really disappointed."

Kyle, of Elderslie, Renfrewshire, was put with 5ft 10in Faroes ace Hjalgrim Elttor.

An SFA spokeswoman admitted: "Height is taken into account as mascots stand in front of players when they line up."