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

Scot Gemmill's Under-21 side are back in action tomorrow as they take on Northern Ireland in a friendly in Belfast.

The match at the Blanchflower Stadium will represent the start of a new cycle for the Under-21s, as preparations begin for the next European Under-21 Championship qualification campaign which kicks off next year.

Following Thursday's friendly, the young Scots will then host Northern Ireland on Sunday, with a 2pm kick off at the SMiSA Stadium.

Tickets for the game in Paisley are on sale now and can be bought via St Mirren, either in-person at the ticket office or online, while SSC members can claim a free ticket. 

 

Team News

The squad has a fresh look to it, with a number of players experiencing their first Under-21 call ups and only Sam Long, Josh Mulligan and Connor Smith remaining from the squad that secured an impressive draw in Denmark last time out. 

Josh Doig also returns to the fold, having missed the qualifiers in June. 

Elliot Anderson and Stuart McKinstry were both named in the original squad but the pair had to withdraw through injury prior to the camp.

Pre Match Thoughts

Fulham central-defender Connor McAvoy is among the new faces in the Scotland camp, as he steps up from the Scotland Under-19s. 

Connor, congratulations on your first call up for the Scotland Under-21 team – how have you found this week so far being over in Belfast with the squad?

It’s been good, I knew a few of the lads from previous trips so I’ve settled in well and I’m just looking forward to the games. It’s a big step up to be playing for your national team – especially at Under-21 level and it’ll be a tough challenge. The level of training has been good, we’ve got some quality and I’m confident about the games.

Having represented Scotland at various different age groups, how does it feel to be involved at this level for the first time? 

I’ve played with Scotland Under-16s, Under-17s and Under-19s and now Under-21s so I’ve worked my way through. I was born in England but my dad’s from Glasgow and his whole family is from Scotland. He was so proud when the call up came – he’s more the footballing parent so for him it was a great moment. He played semi-professionally with Farnborough and he’s been a big inspiration behind me playing football. He loves talking about football and seeing if there’s anything he can help me with or we can talk through.

An Under-21s debut could cap off an exciting few months, after you had the chance to join Fulham’s first-team for pre-season in the summer.

It was a big step up in pre-season. I didn’t know what to expect, obviously they’re a Premier League team and I’ve been watching them week in, week out. Marking Mitrovic in training is a challenge! It’s been great though and he is a good guy. I went to Portugal with them for two weeks and ever since I’ve had chances to be involved with the first team. If they have any players missing then I’m always there just to be in and around it.

For those who haven’t watched you play before, what would you say are your main attributes and what players have helped you in your development?

As a defender I’m good on the ball, I like to play out from the back a lot and I try to read the game well. Both the centre-halves Tosin Adarabioyo and Tim Ream have been good with me at Fulham. Obviously they’ve played together a lot and they help me in training. They give me advice but all the players are really good at that sort of stuff.

This squad has a very different feel to it as we start a new cycle, with no fewer than 11 new faces, how are the players finding the week so far?

Everyone’s getting on really well – everyone’s either played against each other or have been in previous camps so that sort of thing is not a problem but it’s more about what we do on the pitch and we’ll find out tomorrow in our first test.

Where to Watch

The match will be available to watch live on Northern Ireland's Youtube channel, with kick off at 2:30pm. 

Scotland Under-21 Squad

Kieron Bowie Northampton Town (on loan from Fulham)
Flynn Clarke Norwich City 
Tommy Conway Bristol City
Matthew Craig Tottenham Hotspur
Michael Craig Reading
Lucas De Bolle Hamilton Academical (on loan from Newcastle United)
Adam Devine Rangers 
Josh Doig Hellas Veronas
Ben Doak Liverpool
Jay Hogarth Alloa Athletic (on loan from Rangers)
Leon King Rangers
Sam Long Boston United (on loan from Lincoln City)
Connor McAvoy Fulham
Cole McKinnon Partick Thistle (on loan from Rangers)
Chris Mochrie* Dunfermline Athletic (on loan from Dundee United)
Adam Montgomery St Johnstone (on loan from Celtic)
Josh Mulligan Dundee
Lewis Neilson* Heart of Midlothian
Cieran Slicker Rochdale (on loan from Manchester City)
Connor Smith* Heart of Midlothian
Rory Wilson* Aston Villa

*Denotes Scottish FA JD Performance School graduate