Gordon Strachan handed international debuts to Hibs’ midfielder John McGinn and Celtic teenager Kieran Tierney at a rain soaked National Stadium last night and an early goal from Bournemouth midfielder Matt Ritchie was enough to secure a victory for the Scots over Denmark.
Ritchie pounced on a moment’s hesitation from Daniel Agger before firing the ball past Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel to the delight of the home support.
Former Hibs’ strikers Steven Fletcher and Leigh Griffiths both came close to doubling Scotland’s lead in an action packed first half then at half time Ikechi Anya and Charlie Mulgrew replaced Tierney and Fletcher respectively.
In the second half, former Hearts’ keeper Craig Gordon was the hero with a number of vital saves and Scotland successfully held on for the victory to complete a successful week of international football.
The game was also a personal milestone for skipper Scott Brown who earned his 50th cap.
Next up for Gordon Strachan’s side is a trip to Malta to face Italy at the end of May.
Scotland: Gordon, Whittaker, Tierney (Mulgrew 46’), Greer, Hanley, Ritchie (Burke 82’), Brown (C), Fletcher (Anya 46’), Griffiths (Martin 59’), Maloney (Bridcutt 68’), McGinn
Subs not used: Bain, Caddis, Forrest, Cooper, Murphy
Attendance 18.000
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
