Under-21 International Challenge Match
Hungary 1-2 Scotland
Thursday, 26th March 2015, kick-off 2.30pm (local time)
Tatabanya City Stadium, Tatabanya

Szenes Bence 62; Shankland 85, 90

Lawrence Shankland hit a double on his Scotland Under-21 debut as they came from behind to seal a 2-1 friendly win over Hungary.

The Aberdeen forward came off the bench at half time to fire Danny Lennon’s side to a hard-earned victory with two late headers.

Szenes Bence slammed home from close range to give the hosts the lead midway through the second half.

However, Shankland’s goals provided Scotland with a winning start to 2015 as preparations for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers, which begin in September, continued.

Lennon handed starts to Hearts midfielder Sam Nicholson and Sheffield United defender Callum McFadzean as they picked up their first under-21 caps.

St Mirren midfielder John McGinn captained the side as he made his fifth under-21 appearance.

Scotland controlled the opening stages of the match and Declan McManus had a good chance to open scoring after 18 minutes.

Nicholson combined with Ryan Gauld before throwing in an excellent cross but McManus headed straight at the Hungarian goalkeeper.

McManus turned provider on the half hour mark as he crossed for Gauld but the Sporting Lisbon midfielder’s diving header bounced wide of the post.

Lennon made four changes at half time as he made the most of his 22-man squad.

McGinn tried his luck from 20 yards shortly after the break but his shot flew over the bar.

Hungary opened the scoring just after hour mark when Szenes Bence pounced on a loose ball in the Scotland penalty area and fired beyond Hamilton.

The Hearts goalkeeper came to Scotland’s rescue on 78 minutes when Bence curled a shot at goal from the edge of the penalty area but Hamilton made an excellent diving save.

Scotland pushed for a leveller late in the match and were rewarded for their efforts on 85 minutes.

Cammy Smith’s fine cross from the right hand side was met by the head of his Aberdeen team mate Shankland and Scotland were back on level terms.

Scotland had their tails up and Shankland went close with another header – this time from a Stephen Kingsley cross – but it was straight at the goalkeeper from close range.

Charlie Telfer then had a crack from distance which was beaten away by the Hungary goalkeeper with two minutes left on the clock before Shankland grabbed the winner.

Manchester United full-back Donald Love floated in a cross from the right and Shankland headed home from close range to seal the win.

SCOTLAND | Hamilton, Paterson (Love 45), McFadzean (Kingsley 63), McGhee, Findlay (Hyam 45), Handling (O’Hara 76), Nicholson (Christie 45), McGinn (Cpt.) (Telfer 76), McManus (Shankland 45), Gauld (Smith 76), R.Fraser (B. King 63).

Subs not used | Henly (GK), Hurst (GK).