UEFA Under-21 Championship Qualifying
Scotland v Spain
Friday, 6 September 2024
Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh 

Scotland Under-21s are back in action under the lights at Tynecastle Park on Friday evening, with Spain the opponents in the Group B clash.

Scotland have impressed in qualifying, with wins over Belgium, Hungary, Kazakhstan and Malta - as well as a hard-fought draw in Budapest - in their last five competitive matches. 

Their only defeat thus far came against Friday's opponents, with Benat Turrientes' late header giving Spain a 1-0 win in Jaen 12 months ago. 

Tickets for this match and the Under-21s next home game against Belgium can be purchased here. 

Team News

Scotland's strong Under-21 campaign has no doubt played its part in the promotion of five players to the senior squad for their matches against Poland and Portugal this week.

Tommy Conway, Ben Doak and Max Johnston were all named in Steve Clarke's original squad, while Josh Doig and Connor Barron were added on Tuesday as a result of a series of injuries. 

As well as those absences, Scotland are also without regular centre-backs Ibane Bowat and Liam Morrison, while attacking midfielder Lewis Fiorini also misses out through injury. 

Scot Gemmill is at least able to call upon Kieron Bowie, Lewis Neilson and Matthew Anderson, who all missed the Under-21s June friendlies against Turkey and Austria through injury. 

The Under-21s are also boosted by the return of Calvin Ramsay. The right-back, who also featured for the senior side in November 2022, has endured an injury-plagued couple of years since he last featured for the Under-21s over two years over. 

There are also seven uncapped players in Gemmill's youthful squad, with Lewis Budinauckas, Murray Johnson, Miller Thomson, Daniel Kelly, Dane Murray, Bobby Wales and Ewan Wilson aiming to make their Under-21 debuts over the course of the next week. 

Pre-match Thoughts 

Scotland Under-21 Head Coach Scot Gemmill spoke to the media on Wednesday ahead of Friday's clash. He said: “Spain are the top seed in our section and I would say they’re probably the top team in the whole competition.

“They will have aspirations to win the tournament but it’s a brilliant opportunity for our players.

“We showed in Spain last year that if we get the performance correct then we can play against anyone. They’ve made a lot of changes to the squad they had then, and we have too."

Reflecting on the promotions of Johnston, Conway, Doak, Barron and Johnston, Gemmill added: “It’s definitely positive. That’s why this team exists, to develop young players. It’s brilliant for the players and I view it that it shows the players have been doing well, not only for us but at their clubs as well. I definitely see it as a positive.

“It’s an unbelievable opportunity for them to be involved, and now they have to go and confirm their talent. We think they’ve got great potential and now they have to go and take their opportunity if they get it.

“Of course, we lose a bit of control in terms of the timing (of the call-ups) but it creates opportunities for others to step up. That’s how the system works. I think just over half of our current squad are young enough to play in the next under-21 competition so it allows us to give an opportunity to those (younger) players.”

We also caught up with Bobby Wales, who was called up to the Under-21s for the first time this week. He said: "I got a call from Derek McInnes told me I was in the Under-21 squad. He did an interview saying he felt like Santa, getting to make my day like that!

"I was obviously really happy to hear. When I saw Tommy Conway was in the ‘A’ squad I thought I might have a chance but I was delighted.

"I was happy with how pre-season went and then I’ve been involved lots, in Europe especially which has been brilliant, especially scoring off the bench against Tromso. That was actually my first touch of the ball, so I nearly didn’t touch the ball again!

"We then went away the following week and won so it was an amazing week. The late goal was so important because it meant we needed to go over there and win, and it was great to start over there in front of the travelling Killie fans. Because I’d scored and started I felt like a core part of it as well so the celebrations were something else.

"The Under-21s is a great next step for me because I’ve played Under-17s and Under-19s and it will be amazing if I’m able to make my debut. Tynecastle is a fantastic stadium as well and where I made my first start for Killie, so I’m looking forward to it and my family will be there too.

"I was looking through the Spain squad yesterday and lots of them are multi-million pound players so it’s great to test yourselves against players. We lost 1-0 against them last time so hopefully we can be competitive again on."

The full interview with Bobby Wales will appear in the matchday programme.

How to Watch the Match

The match will be available to view live on the Scotland National Team Youtube Channel, with commentary from Luke Shanley and Stephen O'Donnell.

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased for the match at Tynecastle here.

The fixtures are also on sale from the Hearts ticket office, which will be open until kick-off on the night of the match.

Tickets are free for Scotland Supporters Club members and can be purchased in advance by emailing tickets@homplc.co.uk. Tickets will then be sent via email, post, or set aside for collection, depending on your preference. 

If purchasing or collecting your ticket in person, remember to bring your membership card in order to receive your free ticket.

Buying in advance is advised in order to avoid queuing on match-night.

Scotland Under-21s Squad

Matthew Anderson Celtic
Robert Apter Blackpool
Kieron Bowie Hibernian
Lewis Budinauckas Rangers
Lyall Cameron* Dundee
Murray Johnson Airdrieonians (on loan from Hibernian)
Daniel Kelly Millwall
Leon King Rangers
Adedire Mebude KVC Westerlo
Lennon Miller Motherwell
Jack Milne* Aberdeen
Jeremiah Mullen Leeds United
Josh Mulligan* Dundee
Dane Murray Queen's Park (on loan from Celtic)
Lewis Neilson* St Johnstone (on loan from Heart of Midlothian)
Calvin Ramsay* Wigan Athletic (on loan from Liverpool)
Cieran Slicker Ipswich Town
Miller Thomson* Dundee United
Bobby Wales* Kilmarnock
David Watson Kilmarnock
Ewan Wilson Motherwell