Vauxhall International Challenge Match

Scotland v The Netherlands

Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen

Thursday, 9 November 2017, kick-off 7.45pm

 

Scotland take on The Netherlands at Pittodrie with the aim of going 2017 unbeaten.

 

Dick Advocaat’s side arrive in Aberdeen hurting from missing out on World Cup qualification and will take on a Scotland side which will be managed by Malky Mackay for the first time.

 

The Scottish FA Performance Director will take interim charge for the first Scotland game at Pittodrie since 2013 when the hosts overcame Estonia.

 

Both Leigh Griffiths and Darren Fletcher have dropped out of the squad while new call-ups Ryan Christie, Jason Cummings and Paul Hanlon will be hoping to mark the milestone with some game time.

 

For Dick Advocaat’s Netherlands side, Vincent Janssen, Jurgen Locadia and Bas Dost are all out with injuries.

 

Wesley Sneijder and Steven Berghuis return to their squad, while Danny van de Beek has been handed another chance to earn his first cap. In-form PSV striker Jurgen Locadia is also included.

 

Previous meetings

 

Scotland are facing the Netherlands for the 19th time, having won six, drawn four and lost eight in the past.

 

They last met in 2009 during qualification for the 2010 World Cup, with the Netherlands wining 3-0 in Amsterdam and 1-0 at Hampden.

 

The Dutch have conceded just two goals in their last 10 meetings with Scotland, keeping eight clean sheets.

 

Pre-match thoughts

 

Malky Mackay: “The team have been excellent in everything we’ve asked them to do this week. The sessions have been sharp and full of quality with everyone gelling well for the first time.

 

“This is not a friendly for us, this is the start of our preparation for qualifying for Euro 2020. 

 

“As a player I saw the Tartan Army travel in their numbers and the fact a big crowd is expected tomorrow night is brilliant and I can only thank them for that.

 

“The fans will see an athletic team and players who are trying to grasp their opportunity to become a Scotland internationalist for the foreseeable future. We’ve got to keep striving to see what the next generation is capable of.

 

“I want to create a club atmosphere around camp like some other countries possess. When I was at Cardiff City Gary Medel always talked about how close knit a group his Chile team were and that’s something for us to aspire to.

 

“When the players go back to their club, I want them to be desperate to come back to international duty.

 

“The Dutch beat Sweden 2-0 in their last game and we’re expecting a really tough match against a side led by a brilliant manager.

 

“This is a good challenge for our young players.”

 

Stuart Armstrong: “There has been a few new faces introduced into the squad this week so it’s been about gelling new and old together, taking on new ideas ahead of the game.

 

“With any new players that come into the squad they want to impress and be part of a good Scotland team going forward.

 

“You’ve got to take the positives from the last campaign as well as some lessons to learn. Life must go one though so we now need to focus on what is up next.

 

“The game against the Netherlands is a chance for us to continue the momentum as we are currently undefeated this year.”  

 

Ticketing information

 

Tickets are still available through the public sale with a number of areas now sold-out.

 

Tickets can be bought online, over the phone (01224 631903) or in person at the AFC Ticket Office, Pittodrie Stadium, up until kick-off.

 

There are still tickets available in the following areas

 

Richard Donald Stand Upper and South Stand (uncovered)

Adults: £20

Juniors (U16s): £10

 

Travel information

 

Supporters travelling to Aberdeen via train are encouraged to visit ScotRail’s website to find out if their route will be affected due to work being done to upgrade Scotland’s railway across the network

 

For supporters travelling by car, please note the Park and Ride available.

 

Joe & Luke's 'Business Meeting'

 

Joe and Luke are nine years old and they are massive football fans. When Luke's Dad went for a 'meeting' earlier this week the at Scotland team hotel, they were in for a bit of a surprise...

 

Watch how they got on.

 

 

Where to watch

 

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football and tweeted live by the Scottish FA Twitter account.