Scotland head coach Kenny Murray said he was proud of his players for bouncing back from "tough times" to win the World Rugby U20 Trophy.
Murray's side beat USA in Wednesday's final to win the trophy in front of their home fans at Hive Stadium, and secure a spot at next year's World Championship.
Scotland haven't been part of the top level of U20 competition since 2019 when they were relegated after losing to Fiji.
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Murray said: “I’m very proud of the players.
"It’s been four games in 15 days and it’s been tough - it takes it out the boys but I think we managed the squad well and I’m really proud of the performance over the last four games."
He said one of the most pleasing aspects of the performance was watching captain Liam McConnell lift the trophy.
McConnell has endured a tough two years as skipper, but was instrumental throughout the tournament as Scotland swept aside all before them.
Murray added: “Liam [McConnell] has had a tough two years leading it. We’ve not won a lot of games but he’s played 20 games at this level which is an incredible achievement and he’s finished his under-20 career by picking up the trophy and that’s one of the most pleasing aspects tonight.”
The Scotland head coach also praised the strength and conditioning department for ensuring his squad came through the tournament with, largely, a clean bill of health.
“Being well conditioned," was his response when asked what the key to winning the title was.
"We’ve had more of our under-20 players in the senior academy and I think that’s made a difference, with the guys playing a good level of rugby over the year.
“We’re prepared well for this and I’m really pleased with the performance. We scored over 300 points and conceded 32 and we couldn’t ask for any more than that from the boys.”
Scotland went into the tournament as favourites and Murray was pleased with how his side coped with the pressure that brought throughout.
He added: "Last week in particular against Japan, we knew that was going to be a really tough game. We were only 12-0 up at half-time and there was real pressure in there.
"The boys have got a lot of self belief. We took that from the first two games. We've been in some dark places over the in the last few years - we've played against some really tough teams, and that hardens you a bit.
"We came out against Japan and scored after half-time, and again [against USA] we scored the first try after half-time which I felt really deflated them."
Murray was part of the Glasgow Warriors coaching staff prior to taking on his current role in January 2022.
He has been criticised at times for the team's results - including the failure to earn promotion last year when his side lost to Uruguay - and in the Six Nations.
But Murray said he believes some of his players have shown they have what it takes to reach the very top of the game.
Asked how he kept going through the difficult times, he replied: "It's a good group of boys and we want to do well for Scottish Rugby and get our best young players back at the top table of U20 world rugby is important to us.
"We get a lot of stick but we've kept going. A lot of the guys have got great careers ahead of them. There's a lot of guys in that group that have got the potential to play pro rugby and play for Scotland."
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