Robby McCorie hails a defensive masterclass as Scotland’s Under-21s stun France

U21s | “Credit to the players, every one of them – even the boys who came off the bench – put in a shift for the team.”

Hear from @RobbyMcCrorie1 following tonight's 1-0 win over France in the @TournoiToulon. #SCO21s pic.twitter.com/g09poxrY3v

— Scotland (@ScottishFA) May 30, 2018

It was testament to the hard work of the players in front of him that Robby McCrorie wasn’t as busy as he expected to be in goal for Scotland’s Under-21s against France.

However, when the time came, the Rangers rookie was every bit as influential as goalscorer Oliver Burke in securing a memorable win against the Toulon tournament hosts.

When called upon, McCrorie delivered, with one save in particular – diving low to his right to deny Wilifred Kanga with 11 minutes left on the clock – and he knows it’s put he and his team-mates within touching distance of a semi-final slot if they can produce the goods again against South Korea on Saturday.

Robby, that must have felt like a long 80 minutes…

It did! Fair play to the boys, to beat France 1-0 is far from easy. That’s a top team we were playing. At one point I looked at the clock and there was still 25 minutes to go. They were popping shots at us but we got there and luckily enough saw the game out.

Did you expect to be busier in goal?

Definitely. I know when I’m not busy then I need to be organising but, credit to the players, every one of them – even the ones who came off the bench – put in a shift for the team to close the gaps and make it as hard as possible for France. That’s why they were limited to the few saves that I had to make in the game.

Win and clean sheet against France💙 some shift from the lads👏🏻 !!! https://t.co/7P9lnVEQ4s

— RMC (@RobbyMcCrorie1) May 30, 2018

You looked well-organised and obviously stuck to the plan laid out by Scot Gemmill. What was the gist of it?

We know that up top, when we’re attacking, we have the players to hurt teams. We’ve got plenty of pace and boys who can finish. I think we proved that against France. The main thing is to get a clean sheet and stay solid. We did that and it gave us the base to push on and win the game.

Do you remember much about the important saves you did have to make?

I had maybe two or three saves to make. Two of them were maybe pretty simple and about getting myself in the right position. I had one good save but that’s what I’m here to do. When the team’s working hard then there’s always going to be a point when you get called into the game to do your bit and I felt like I did that.

U21s | A fantastic save from 'keeper @RobbyMcCrorie1, making his Scotland Under-21s and @TournoiToulon debut. 👏👏 #SCO21s pic.twitter.com/VUx4RLCLlR

— Scotland (@ScottishFA) May 30, 2018

It’s really set you up nicely for the final group game against South Korea.

It’s put us in a great position for the final game. We know Togo beat South Korea earlier in the day. The objective was to get through. We know it will be a tough game against South Korea but I think everyone in the dressing room believes we can do a good job and hopefully get through to the next round.

U21s | Watch the goal that sealed tonight's 1-0 win over France in the @TournoiToulon. Good work @OliverBurke55 👏👏 #SCO21s pic.twitter.com/fg4ZX7F6pR

— Scotland (@ScottishFA) May 30, 2018

Scotland Squad

Ross Doohan (Celtic)

Robby McCrorie (Rangers)

Daniel Harvie (Aberdeen)

Jason Kerr (St Johnstone)

Chris Hamilton (Heart of Midlothian)

Ryan Porteous (Hibernian)

Anthony Ralston (Celtic)

Greg Taylor (Kilmarnock)

Iain Wilson (Kilmarnock)

Liam Burt (Rangers)

Allan Campbell (Motherwell)

Billy Gilmour (Chelsea)

Fraser Hornby (Everton)

Glenn Middleton (Rangers)

Harvey St Clair (Chelsea)

Elliot Watt (Wolverhampton Wanderers)

Oliver Burke (West Bromwich Albion)

Michael Johnston (Celtic)

Craig Wighton (Dundee)

Scott Wright (Aberdeen)