how to setup Gmail account on iPod Touch

I have an iPod Touch, an older generation, stuck at IOS 6.1.6. I used to have the Mail app talking with a local email provider until the provider stopped it. Now I have a new GMail account and want to set up the Mail app to interact with the GMail account. The Mail's default account setup for GMail takes my information and attempts to make the connection but fails. First it responds that it can't connect using SSL and asks if I want to try it without SSL. I click OK and it attempts a second time - fails with IMAP server not responding (server name looks like it is supposed to from settings lookup, network connection is good and password is correct).

The GMail app is not an option, as it requires IOS 11.

Any thoughts?