DAVID BATES has recently experienced a Hamburg derby, having previously strolled through an Old Firm showdown, and will now add a clash against the Auld Enemy tomorrow to his burgeoning portfolio.

But the former Rangers defender admitted he's gutted he couldn't help Scot Gemmill's Scotland Under-21 to the Euro Finals after they crashed to a 3-1 defeat in Kiev against Ukraine on Friday.

That ended Scotland's hopes of reaching the play-offs as one of the fourth best runners-up nations and they end another campaign without qualifying tomorrow when England visit Tynecastle. They have failed to qualify since 1996.

Bates has been one of the successes of a campaign that featured home and away wins against the Netherlands, but was derailed by an appalling draw in Andorra and a home stalemate with Latvia in Perth, as well as two losses to Ukraine.

The 22-year-old is now learning his trade with Hamburg in Bundesliga II after their relegation in the summer. Bates moved from Ibrox in the summer and has surprised many by nailing down a first-team place.

He sampled an eagerly-anticipated Hamburg derby against St Pauli – the first for seven years – that as marred by the visiting fans being ambushed by stink bombs and nearly 2000 police officers were employed for the match which finished goalless.

Bates won plaudits last season for coming on as an early sub for Bruno Alves and winning the man of the match award as Rangers earned a goalless draw at Parkhead. And he admits there are certain similarities between the two games – although the German fans are sure to make their feelings crystal clear.

And he's aiming to end his U21s career on a high in Edinburgh.

He said: "Everyone is hurting with the [Under-]21s. It’s disappointing because we came with a game plan which worked for 30 minutes. They got a goal and it took us 10 minutes to settle down again. The 3-1 scoreline wasn't the one that should have been.

"It’s disappointing for myself and the older boys because it’s our last year at this level. There are some good young players and hopefully they can go further next time.

"You’ve got Kieran Tierney, Scott McKenna, John Souttar who could have all played. They’re good players. Boys are getting into the first team. And there’s Billy Gilmour and Glenn Middleton too – the young players here for the next time.

"In terms of my club football, the Hamburg Derby was great. The atmosphere was good. We trained the day before the game and 2000 people turned up to watch!

"We didn’t get the win, it finished 0-0 in a bit of a boring game for fans but it was a good atmosphere to play in. Like the Old Firm it’s tough. They sat in and we never really broke them down as much as we could have.

Rangers centre half David Bates, left, competes with <a href=Celtic striker Moussa Dembele last Sunday."> Rangers centre half David Bates, left, competes with Celtic striker Moussa Dembele last Sunday.

"The game is different to Old Firm games. European atmospheres are always different. The fans can come to training for example, the Ultras and that kind of thing. We knew the Ultras were coming and they told us how much it means to them. The head boy did speak after training as we walked out. He told us all right!

"The fans are brilliant over there. Like the Rangers fans they have a traditional history. I’m loving it there and I feel I’m getting better and better. The fans are close to the club and players and we always make it clear how much we appreciate their effort – they make seven hour journeys, five hour journeys to games.

"The coach wants to play football, I’m learning my trade here and my girlfriend is out with me and we’re on our own. We rely on each other and my family gets over as much as they can and so does hers."

The next ambition for the former Raith Rovers defender is to break into Alex McLeish's full squad - something he cannot be far away from doing given the high standard of league he features in.

And he hopes he will one day be able to team up with his Under-21 partner, Ryan Porteous at Hibs, in the top squad.

Bates said: "I try to concentrate on club football and playing as much and as well as I can then hopefully I can get noticed by the manager.

"I enjoy playing with big Ryan who’s a good player. He’s playing first team at Hibs and is still eligible so he has a good future. He’s a strong centre-half and does the dirty work well."