Northern Ireland 1-3 Scotland
Thursday, 22 September (2:30pm kick off)
Blanchflower Stadium, Belfast


Scorers

Northern Ireland 1 (McKee 73)

Scotland 3 (Kieron Bowie 35, Ben Doak 37, Mulligan 57)

Team News

This match marked the beginning of a new cycle for the Under-21s and as such there were a number of new faces in the Scotland line up, with Adam Devine, Lewis Neilson, Connor McAvoy, Michael Craig and Tommy Conway all making their first appearances at this level.

As It Happened

Kicking off in bright sunlight in their fresh new white away strip, it was Scotland who threatened first with Josh Mulligan running into space and letting loose from 25-yards, but his effort was tipped wide by Northern Ireland goalkeeper Dermott Mee.

The hosts then had a glorious chance to take the lead on 19 minutes, when Dale Taylor lobbed Cieran Slicker but McAvoy reacted superbly to clear it off the line.

Scotland had the next meaningful opportunity and we would make it count, as debutant Bowie nodded home a header from a Connor Smith free-kick in the 35th minute.

There was to be another debut goal moments later, as exciting 16-year-old Ben Doak – who came on for Neilson – ran onto an excellent pass by Craig before slotting a composed finish past Mee to double the Scots advantage.

It was proving to be an impressive display by Scot Gemmill’s young side, despite a lot of the players having not played together before, and it soon got better as the tireless Mulligan doubled the lead shortly after the break.

Adam Montgomery whipped in a dangerous cross which Conway met with a shot that cannoned off the inside of the post and Mulligan was on hand to fire the rebound into the roof of the net.

Northern Ireland attempted to get back into the game but the young Scots defended resolutely and Slicker made a couple of key saves when required.

The hosts did eventually get on the scoresheet, as Ross McCausland’s cross was met by Chris McKee at the back post, but it proved to be merely a consolation.

There was still time for Devine to make a wonderful goal-line clearance, while Lucas De Bolle, Chris Mochrie and Rory Wilson all came on for their Under-21s debuts, as Scotland held on to record a comfortable win.

Next Up

Gemmill’s side continue their preparations for next year’s European Championship qualifying campaign with another friendly against Northern Ireland on Sunday, this time in Paisley.

The match at the SMiSA Stadium gets underway at 2pm, with tickets available online here or via the St Mirren ticket office.

Teams

Scotland: Slicker, Devine, Neilson (Doak 29), McAvoy, Doig, Montgomery, Mulligan, Michael Craig (Wilson 85), Smith, Bowie (Mochrie 64), Conway (De Bolle 85)

Unused substitutes: Long, Clarke, Matthew Craig, Hogarth

Northern Ireland: Mee, Donnelly, McClelland, McCann, Hume, Boyd-Munce, Taylor (McCausland 62), McCalmont (Williams 84), McCullough (Johnston 70), Allen (Jeffcott 62), Price (McKee 62)

Unused substitutes: Stewart, McCausland, Berry, Boyle, Devlin, MacKinnon, Lusty