Earlier today the Scotland under-19s took on Switzerland in an international friendly at Almondvale. All of the national newspapers will be able to tell you then ebb and flow of the match tomorrow. Basically… we won. 4-2! With Gary Oliver, Fraser Aird, Adam King and Cammy Smith getting the goals.
This is to satisfy the curiosity of those fans who had players from their team performing in the match. Here’s how they all got on.
1. Ross Stewart – Goalkeeper – Motherwell
If he’s harsh on himself he’ll wonder if he could have done better with both goals – seeing the first go through his legs and the second in at the front post – but in reality he was hung out to dry by his defence. Spare one kickout that went directly out the park midway through the first, his distribution was good and was reliable enough from cross balls.
2. Lewis Kidd – Right Back – Celtic (on loan at QOTS)
Considering he was up against Sion’s very impressive Gregory Karlen – the left winger was a great blend of skill, power and pace – he can look back on a job well done. Found it difficult dealing with Karlen at times but was never embarrassed and eventually succeeded in keeping the attacker quiet. The only member of the back four not to make a needless mistake in the opening 45.
3. Scott McKenna – Centre Back – Aberdeen
Looked a little tentative in the opening exchanges and should have taken both ball and player when Darren Petrie’s early back-pass felt short at the opening goal. Had another scary moment shortly after but soon settled down and imposed himself on proceedings. Was the more dynamic of the two centre backs. Someone who looks like they may also be comfortable at full-back, which is apparently Derek McInnes’s favourite thing to do with centre halves.
4. Cameron Burgess – Centre Back – Fulham
One of the few home players that shared the muscular physique of their opposing numbers. Got up tremendously well to direct the header which Gary Oliver turned in for the opening goal. He was the leader of the back four and continuously barking at his fellow defenders. Did commit a bad pass into a crowded area which led to second goal, but he was far from alone in that respect.
5. Stephen Hendrie – Left Back – Hamilton Accies
Showed some great technique to meet a deep Fraser Aird corner of the volley and send it roaring just over the crossbar. Should have gotten rid at the second Swiss goal, but the players are encouraged to pass their way out and mistakes like this are just part of the learning curve.
6. Darren Petrie – Centre Midfield – Dundee United (on loan at Brechin)
Had a tough 45 minutes which started with the short back-pass that led to the opener. Throughout the half his passing was off but, to his credit, he never once hid from the ball and grew into the match as it went on; displaying the mental strength required from somebody captaining the team.
7. Fraser Aird – Right Wing – Rangers
Had a couple of poor touches early in the match but he soon came onto a game. Towards the end of the first half he was Scotland’s biggest threat and got his reward with a well hit shot that squirmed under the goalkeeper for Scotland’s second equaliser a couple minutes after the restart. Was the starting eleven’s most creative threat.
8. Adam King – Centre Midfield – Swansea City
Had good composure in an otherwise scrappy Scotland performance in the first half. Harsh words from the manager at half-time may perhaps have resonated with him more than the others since he really took hold of the midfield after the break, showing the quality which convinced Swansea to part with £200,000 for his potential talent. Showed good composure to pass the ball underneath the goalkeeper for what looked likely to be the winner until Smith’s late strike.
9. Gary Oliver – Centre Forward – Hearts
Only played the opening 45 minutes, which was unlucky considering how much the home side struggled through the period. Did an excellent job of pressing the opposition when the likes of Fraser Aird and Sam Nicolson struggled a little on that front during the first half. Had a couple of touches in good areas get away from him. But if you play 45 minutes as a striker and get one goal then you should be happy with the day’s work. Demonstrated a predatory instinct to be in the right area to divert Burgess’s header past the keeper.
10. Jason Cummings – Second Striker – Hibs
Got into some promising positions throughout the match but the ball just wouldn’t drop for him. Looked more comfortable in the second half where he led the line as opposed to the No.10 role he performed in the first. Some really nice touches to turn away from the defenders and on another day might have bagged himself a couple of goals.
11. Sam Nicholson – Left Wing – Hearts
A quiet afternoon for the player in the starting eleven with the most Premiership experience this season. Another who had the ball refuse to drop for him on a couple of occasions and once saw a promising run halted by a harsh bobble. Didn’t do much wrong but the best thing you could say was that his presence on the left halted the impact of Manchester United’s Saidy Janko’s rampaging runs down the right.
Substitutes
12. Mark Hurst – Goalkeeper – St Johnstone
Nerves got the best of him as he bobbled his first cross but settled down soon after and commanded his six-yard area well.
13. Craig Halkett – Centre Back – Rangers
Never put a foot wrong after coming on for Burgess, though he, and the defensive unit, were helped by the improvement in front of them.
14. George McLennan – Left Back – Reading
Got forward well from the left-back spot, though he did repeat the mistakes of his first half predecessors with an ill-advised back-pass late on.
15. Ryan Sinnamon – Right Back – Rangers
The next Scot to do a commendable job in keeping Karlan quiet in the second half. Nearly bagged an assist with an accurate low cross that picked out Charlie Telfer late on.
16. Liam Henderson – Second Striker – Celtic
Showed great balance and skill to squeeze around Marco Drakul on the byline before forcing the goalkeeper into a smart save. His eagerness to get forward in support and make runs in behind caused Switzerland problems.
17. Liam Lindsay – Centre Midfield – Celtic
Added to the increased dynamism from the first half as he replaced Petrie and adopted more of a box-to-box approach than the measured style of his captain.
18. Charlie Telfer – Left Wing – Rangers
An enthusiastic display from the slight midfielder on the left side of midfield. Always looking to get on the ball and showed good stamina getting up and down the flank. Nicely weighted through ball for the fourth goal.
19. Cammy Smith – Centre Forward – Aberdeen
The Aberdeen playmaker, fresh of an impressive cameo in the first-team on Saturday, latched onto a late through ball from Telfer before showing good pace to outrun the defence and composure by slotting past the goalkeeper.
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