Scotland v Sweden
Thursday, 23 March, 6pm kick off (UK time)
Pinatar Arena Football Centre, Spain

Scotland Under-21s return to action tomorrow for the first time since November.

Scot Gemmill’s side face Sweden in a friendly at the Pinatar Arena in Spain.

The Scots have been in the country since Monday. The match is the latest preparation match as the Under-21s look ahead to their UEFA Euro 2025 Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign which begins in September – against Spain.

Team News

Scotland were hit by three withdrawals from the initial squad named by Gemmill. Young Liverpool winger Ben Doak was removed as a precaution as he goes through concussion protocol following a collision while representing Liverpool Under-18s in the UEFA Youth League against Sporting Lisbon.

Leon King was forced to withdraw with a thigh injury while Connor McAvoy also missing out having been ruled out for the season with an injury.

Kieron Bowie has been added to the squad having recovered from an knock of his own. The striker, who is on loan at Northampton, scored the opener in a friendly against Northern Ireland in Belfast in September. Lewis Neilson has been added to provide cover in defence and there is also a place for Josh Adam who impressed as part of Billy Stark’s Under-19 side in their qualifying round in November.

Josh Doig returns to the squad having missed November’s friendly with Iceland at Fir Park. Goalkeeper Cieran Slicker is also back after missing an extended period with a hip injury.

Pre match thoughts 

Scotland and Hibernian goalkeeper Murray Johnston chatted to us after receiving his first call-up for the Scotland Under-21s.

Murray, it’s the first time you’ve been called up at Under-21 level. How have you found the week so far?

It was obviously a real honour to get the call. I’ve played in the age groups up until that but I think the Under-21s is another level in itself.

It probably came as a bit of a surprise but it’s just amazing to be alongside some of these players and learning off them every day. So far I’ve really enjoyed it so looking forward to the rest of the week.

The weather’s amazing and the facilities as well are top-notch. The standard is so high and I fully expected with the calibre of players and staff you’ve got here.

It’s just  the best place to be for a young player. You’re training alongside the best, on the best facilities in the best place with the best weather – it’s going to bring the best out in you.

Did you know many of the boys prior to joining up?

I know Josh Doig well from our time together at Hibs. It was great to see him again because I’ve not seen him for a while since he moved over to Italy. He seems to be really enjoying himself and he’s doing excellent.

I know a lot of the lads who have been called up from the Under-19s. We played together in the qualifiers there in Scotland. It’s a good group to be a part of and everyone has been so welcoming.

You’re someone who has represented Scotland all through age groups. Is it always a proud moment to represent your country?

I played in the Victory Shield in Wales which was Under-16s. Then I went to Under-17s, Under-19s recently and now into Under-21s. It’s been a really good pathway for me through the Scotland age groups.

Especially growing up in Scotland and Edinburgh my whole career and my whole life, it’s a genuine honour to represent the country that your whole family is from. Everytime you pull on that shirt it’s an absolute honour for me.

With the Under-19s it was hard because you don’t qualify and you lose games but I felt overall that looking back and evaluating the games I did do quite well.  

You have enjoyed a successful season at club level, with a loan at Airdrieonians and a run with Hibs in the UEFA Youth League. How do you reflect on it so far?

Yeah, I went on loan to Airdrie at the start of the season and I managed to get five games under my belt which was great. I was still 17 at the time and it came out of the blue a bit, being an emergency loan. I just tried to take it all in my stride and I felt I did pretty well there. The manager and every single one of the players there helped me.

Then I came back and played for Hibs in the UEFA Youth League. We beat Molde on penalties at Easter Road which was unbelievable. I saved a penalty in the shoot-out. It was crazy, one of the best atmospheres. We also got Dortmund at home and we came up just short but we came so close. It was nearly 10,000 fans there and I don’t think many players can say they’ve played in Europe by the time they’re 18 so that in itself was an achievement for the club but also me individually.

What have been your experiences training with a Scotland legend in David Marshall?

David Marshall has been different class. Anyone who you ask about him has the same thing to say about him. He’s a gentleman but he’s also got unbelievable quality as a goalkeeper. Being able to train alongside him every single day and now being back up to him. It’s an incredible experience and he’s been at the highest level of the game. Hopefully that’s one day where I’ll go to.

If you’ve got people like that in front of you to learn from every day, then hopefully that is going to be amazing for your development. He’s been so good for me.

It’s a bit cheesy but he probably was a hero at some point. Somebody I did look up to and wish I could be like. It’s surreal but being a young goalie trying to develop, if you’ve got somebody like that in front of you then it’s the best development you can get. To have a friendship with David Marshall is special.

What are your favourite memories of supporting the national team growing up?

Growing up in Edinburgh, I’ve followed the national team and been to quite a few games. I went to the Scotland – England game when Leigh Griffiths scored the two free-kicks. Unbelievable. Probably the biggest roar and the biggest buzz that I have ever had football – including playing! When he scored that second free-kick, I can just remember Hampden being the biggest roar in my life.

And finally – how much would it mean to make your Under-21s debut over the course of the next few days?

My whole family were super proud when I got the call-up and any minutes that I get would be a massive honour. Not just for me but my whole family would be delighted with that too. There’s nothing better than making your family proud.

How to watch

The match will be streamed live across the Scotland National Team social media channels, with commentary from Andrew MacLean and Rory Loy.

Scotland Under-21 Squad

Azeem Abdulai Swansea City 
Josh Adam Manchester City
Matthew Anderson Celtic
Connor Barron* Aberdeen
Kieron Bowie Northampton Town (on loan from Fulham)
Adam Devine Rangers
Thomas Dickson-Peters Grimsby Town (on loan from Norwich City)
Josh Doig Hellas Verona
Ryan Duncan Aberdeen
Lewis Fiorini Blackpool (on loan from Manchester City)
Hayden Hackney Middlesbrough
Murray Johnson Hibernian 
Max Johnston* Motherwell 
Cole McKinnon Partick Thistle (on loan from Rangers)
Dire Mebude Manchester City 
Liam Morrison* FC Bayern 
Jeremiah Mullen Leeds United
Josh Mulligan* Dundee 
Lewis Neilson* Heart of Midlothian
Jack Newman Dundee United 
Cieran Slicker Manchester City 
Connor Smith* Hamilton Academical (on loan from Heart of Midlothian)
Ben Summers Celtic 

* Denotes Scottish FA JD Performance School graduate