Source: FOOTYMAD
Scotland Under 21s 3 Norway Under 21s 0
Scotland learn how to deal with Scandanavian sides Scotland's Under 21s out thought, out muscled and out scored their Norwegian counterparts in the new home of the under 21 set up of new St Mirren Park yesterday afternoon. The prospect of seeing players of the future brought out a plethora of interested parties with Ally McCoist, Colin Calderwood, Kenny Sheils, Jimmy Nicol. Stuart McCall, Davie Weir, Mark Wotte, Archie Knox and Craig Brown all spotted in the Directors box taking notes.The 3-0 win was a fine aperitif to enjoy before the rain-soaked main event of the A team playing Denmark at Hampden. Goals from Tom Cairney, Ryan Jack and Stuart Armstrong ensure Scotland had a good return on their investment of a skilful display in front of 1,654 fans. There was a an early disappointment for the home side when Stephen Saunders collapsed with nobody near him as he prepared to move towards the ball. He had to be stretchered off with a suspected achilles injury. Normally, Scottish sides have difficulty in dealing the athleticism of sides from Scandinavia. Not so yesterday as Scotland more than held their own in the 1-2-1 battles around the pitch. The first goal came just after quarter of an hour when Cairney put the icing on the cake of good work by Dundee United's Scott Allan and Johnathon Russell. Manager Billy Stark rang the changes at half-time by bringing on Stuart Armstrong and Leigh Griffiths for Jordan Rhodes and Tom Cairney. Scotland were the more dominant attacking force and the occasional foray towards the home goal was dealt with calmly by the defence marshalled by captain Paul Hanlon. Near the hour mark Norway did have the ball in the net bit the referee blew for offside. The second Scotland goal was a fine curling effort from Jack who calmly drifted past three defenders before swerving from the edge of the box past the Ostbo in the Norway goal. The final gaol was a fine solo effort from Armstrong who just kept on driving forward with the ball tied to his boot from the half way line firing his shot past Ostbo. All in all an entertaining afternoon.
