Czechia v Scotland
UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualifying
Friday, 5 September 2025 (5pm kick-off, UK time)
City Stadium, Uherske Hradiste

Scotland Men’s Under-21s kick off their European Championship Qualifying campaign on Friday evening with an away tie against Czechia in Uherske Hradiste.

Scot Gemmill’s young Scots then face Portugal at Fir Park on Tuesday evening to round off the double header. Tickets for that one are still available here, while Scotland Supporters Club (SSC) members go free.

Scotland enjoyed some impressive results in the previous campaign, with notable wins against Belgium and Hungary, but we were left to rue a last minute penalty miss in a 0-0 draw in Budapest, before the campaign disappointingly concluded with defeats to Belgium and Kazakhstan as Scotland finished 3rd, agonisingly short of a Play-off spot.

Since then, Scotland have played two friendly matches, beating Republic of Ireland and losing to Iceland, while Gemmill also took an Under-20 squad to Slovakia in May where they lost narrowly.  

Of the last group of Under-21s, a vast number having already gone on to represent the full squad, with Cieran Slicker, Connor Barron, Max Johnston, Lennon Miller, Ben Doak, Tommy Conway, Josh Doig and Kieron Bowie already all receiving senior honours. 

Scotland have been drawn into a group of six for these qualifiers, alongside Portugal, Czechia, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and Gibraltar.

Team News

Refreshingly, Gemmill has a full squad to select from, with no call-offs from the squad named early last week.

Lennon Miller is absent after retaining his place in the senior squad, while Josh Dede, Bailey Rice, Findlay Pollock and Rudi Molotnikov are unavailable for this one with injuries.

But Scot can call upon Ben McPherson who returns from a two year injury absence and he has also handed first Under-21 call-ups to Findlay Curtis, Cameron Gardner, Ts’oanelo Lets’osa Callan McKenna,  Kristi Montgomery and James Wilson.

Wilson won his first senior Scotland call-up in March, while goalkeeper McKenna also received a call-up due to injuries in June.

Pre-match thoughts

With eight caps to his name, left-back Matthew Anderson is third only to Dire Mebude and Jeremiah Mullen in terms of experience. He made his debut against Norway in June 2023, and after playing second fiddle to now-Scotland international Josh Doig in the last campaign, the defender is hopefully to be a mainstay of the his this campaign.

He caught up with us ahead of the Czechia match, also reflecting on his summer move from Celtic to Belgian side Kortrijk.

He said: “In the previous campaign we got a few good results. Obviously we were unlucky not to qualify but we can take great confidence from that and we'll be looking to start with two good results against Czechia and Portugal.

"It feels unusual now being one of the most experienced in the group. I've been in the squad for a long time now. I think in a way my caps don't tell the full story because Josh Doig was here before and I was more his understudy. 

"I feel like I've been here a long time and I feel experienced too. Josh was all-round an unbelievable player and I learned a lot from him as he's playing in a top division and I'm looking to make that left back spot mine now.

"Of course the aim now is to qualify. I think we've got a really strong squad, a lot of talent and I think we've got a good chance this time."

You can watch the full interview before the match. 

How to Watch 

Both of Scotland first two qualifiers will be streamed live on the Scotland National Team Youtube Channel.

Scotland Men's Under-21 Squad 

Aidan Borland Aston Villa
Ben McPherson Celtic (on loan to Partick Thistle)
Callan McKenna* AFC Bournemouth
Cameron Gardner Grimsby Town
Colby Donovan Celtic
Daniel Kelly Millwall
David Watson Kilmarnock
Dire Mebude KVC Westerlo
Dylan Smith Ross County
Emilio Lawrence Manchester City
Findlay Curtis Rangers
James Wilson Heart of Midlothian
Jeremiah Mullen Dunfermline Athletic
Kristi Montgomery Blackburn Rovers
Liam McFarlane Heart of Midlothian 
Luke Graham Dundee
Matthew Anderson KV Kortrijik
Miller Thomson* Dundee United
Robbie Ure IK Sirius
Rory Mahady Leeds United
Ruairidh Adams Dundee United (on loan to East Fife)
Ryan One* Sheffield United
Sam Cleall-Harding* Dundee United
Ts’oanelo Lets’osa Partick Thistle

*Denotes Scottish FA JD Performance School graduate

Tickets

Tickets are still available for Scotland's home match against Portugal which kicks off at 7pm on Tuesday, 9 October and they can be purchased here.