Belgium U21 v Scotland U21
UEFA Under-21 EURO 2025 Qualifier
Friday, 17 November, kick-off 7pm (UK time)
The Nest, Roeselare

Scotland Under-21s are back in action on Friday evening, aiming to build on the back-to-back victories secured over Hungary and Malta in October.

Scotland will face a tough challenge though as they travel to Roeselare to take on Belgium.

Belgium currently sit second in Group B, with Scotland in third. 

Scot Gemmill's side were in blistering form as they defeated Hungary 3-1 at Fir Park last month, before they overcame a stubborn Malta side 2-1 in a tighter encounter.

Team News 

Liverpool youngster Ben Doak is back in the squad after missing the match against Norway. Lyall Cameron and Dire Mebude's returns also provide a boost after they missed both matches last month.

However, there have also been some withdrawals from the original squad named by Gemmill at the start of the month. 

After Jude Smith and Emilio Lawrence withdrew from the squad last week, Tommy Conway, Max Johnston and Ben McPherson also withdrew prior to meeting up with the group this week.

Josh Doig was also named in Scotland's original squad before being promoted to the Men's A squad.

In their place, Gemmill has called up Aidan Denholm, Finlay Robertson, Adam Devine and Kai Fotheringham and Vincent Angelini. 

Pre-match thoughts 

Finlay Robertson is a player who has been drafted in to the squad at short notice for the second time in succession.

The Dundee midfielder impressed in the Championship as the Dens Park side won promotion.

After turning 21 on Sunday, Robertson reflected on his first call up and what a potential Under-21 debut would mean to him.

Finlay - you received your first Under-21 call up during the last camp. Was that a bit unexpected when the call came? 

It was a surprise definitely. It came out of nowhere. I’ve been in the Under-19s set-up a few years ago but nothing since then. I feel like I’ve started the season well, I’ve had opportunities to play. To get a call up is a great achievement.  It was a good late birthday present when I got the call this time just after my 21st! I wasn’t expecting it at all. I had a few missed calls on my phone so I thought ‘I wonder what this it?’ but I was delighted when I got it.

How have you found the experience in the two camps you've been a part of?

It’s a lot more tactical at international level, it’s different to what I’ve been used to but it’s good to see how your level matches up against the other players. It's helped having a few teammates. I’ve known Josh Mulligan since I was 12 years old and I know a few of the other boys like Lewis Neilson so it’s been an easy squad to settle in to and the boys have been great. We played very well in the last games. Hungary were a very good side but we played so well. It opens your eyes a bit to the level of players around the world. 

You were pretty young when you made your first team debut at Dundee and you've experienced relegation and promotion already in your young career. How do you reflect on the past few years?

I was 16 when I made my debut on the last game of the season in the Premiership. Then in the following season I played quite a bit and that’s when I got my Under-19s call-up which was great. But when you’re young you have ups and downs. I went from playing Under-18s and going to school to straight into the first team. There was no in between but you’ve got to learn quick and I think that has made me a better person and a better character. I’ve played over 50 times for Dundee and if you told me that, as a young boy, I wouldn’t have believed that.

You also had a loan spell at Cove Rangers. How helpful was that in your development?

I think it’s good to play men’s football, even on loan – it’s so important. I was 18 or 19 when I went to Cove Rangers and Paul Hartley was the manager. We won the league that year and the boys were flying so it was a good team to go to because we played good football. That was a great experience for me.

This year has seen Dundee play Premiership football again. How have you found the step up from the Championship?

It’s quite a big jump. The overall standard. Every team is good. There isn’t one easy game in the league. The physicality of the league is tough and every team is so clinical. If you give them a sniff, they’ll punish you so you’ve got to be tuned in for the full game to give yourself a chance. Since Tony Docherty has come in, he’s giving me a licence to be a bit more free and to get forward a bit more. I’ve improved both sides to my game and it means you can play in a variety of different positions which has helped.

You are, of course, another success story of the Scottish FA JD Performance School programme. It must be great to see so many fellow graduates in the squad. 

I actually played against Kai Fotheringham in the Scottish Schools Cup Final at Hampden and we won. They were Graeme and we were St John’s. We had a good team. Myself, Lyall Cameron and Archie Meekison – we had a really good team and it was a good day out and it was class to win. The programme was really good and the proof is in the pudding, the amount of players who are still playing at a good level who were in the Performance Schools. You get coaching from such good coaches. They also help you with school and help you catch up. It was brilliant.

Former Scotland manager Gordon Strachan is another influence for you at Dens Park. How helpful has he been for you? 

If you want to go and speak to Gordon – he’s there for you. He’s got such an aura about him. You have to respect him and having someone like him at Dundee really helps the academy and you can see how it’s grown. As a person, he’s great for the club. He’s always coming to speak to us and showing us clips. Any time you can listen to someone like him talk about football, you’re going to listen.

And just finally - how much would it mean if you were to get on the pitch over the course of the next week? 

If I got a cap I would be over the moon as it’s the biggest achievement you can get at this level – playing for your country. If I got on the pitch I would be delighted but it will be tough matches.

 

Previous Meetings 

Scotland played Belgium at Under-21 level only last year and earned a more than respectable draw.

In their penultimate game of the previous qualifying campaign, Scotland travelled to Sint-Truiden in June 2022. 

The Belgians had won the corresponding fixture 2-0 in Dundee the previous year, but Scotland impressed on this occasion and were arguably the better side, creating first half chances through Elliot Anderson and Dapo Mebude.

Of the current Under-21 side, only Connor Barron was involved in the match, while Alex Lowry was also in the squad. Aberdeen midfielder Barron had one of his best games in a Scotland shirt, dominating the midfield against a talented Belgian side.

Scotland were unfortunate not to triumph in the end, with Anderson going close in the last ten minutes and Stephen Welsh seeing a header disallowed for a foul, as they game ended goalless.

How to Watch 

The match will be streamed live on the Scotland National Team Youtube channel, with commentary from Luke Shanley and Rory Loy.

Scotland Under-21 Squad 

Matthew Anderson FC Admira Wacker Modling
Vincent Angelini Brentford
Connor Barron* Aberdeen
Ibane Bowat TSV Hartberg (on loan from Fulham)
Kieron Bowie Northampton Town (on loan from Fulham)
Lyall Cameron* Dundee 
Aidan Denholm Heart of Midlothian
Adam Devine Rangers
Ben Doak Liverpool
Ryan Duncan Aberdeen
Kai Fotheringham* Dundee United
Leon King Rangers
Alex Lowry* Heart of Midlothian (on loan from Rangers)
Dire Mebude KVC Westerlo 
Michael Mellon Morecambe (on loan from Burnley)
Liam Morrison* Wigan Athletic (on loan from Bayern Munich)
Jeremiah Mullen (Leeds United) 
Lewis Neilson Partick Thistle (on loan from Heart of Midlothian)
Jack Newman Dundee United
Finlay Robertson* Dundee
Cieran Slicker Ipswich Town 
Robbie Ure RSCA Futures

*Denotes Scottish FA JD Performance School graduate