Scotland Under-21s v Denmark Under-21s

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Scottish FA
Hampden Park
Glasgow
G42 9AY
0141 616 6000
Scottish FA Online:
e. info@scottishfa.co.uk
w. www.scottishfa.co.uk
Twitter. @ScotlandNT
Facebook.com/
scotlandnationalteam
OFFICE BEARERS:
President
Rod Petrie
Chief executive
Ian Maxwell
Vice-president
Mike Mulraney
Programme produced on
behalf of the Scottish FA by
Ignition Sports Media
ignitionsportsmedia.com
Production: David Middleton
Photography:
SNS Pix, PA Images
Managing Editors:
Lewis Irons and
Michael Lamont
Please note that the views
expressed in this programme
do not necessarily reflect
those of the Scottish FA.
The Scottish Football
Association Limited is a
private company limited
by guarantee, registered in
Scotland, with its registered
office at Hampden Park,
Glasgow G42 9AY and
company number SC005453.
IN THIS ISSUE...
04 / MANAGER’S WELCOME
Scot Gemmill is relishing
tonight’s tough test at
Tynecastle Park
06 / LAST TIME OUT
A draw in Bursa in September
got the qualifying campaign up
and running
10 / PLAYER Q&A
Josh Doig is making a big
impression on Scottish football
after a breakthrough season at
Hibernian and was rewarded
with last month’s international
call up
14 / KIDS ZONE
Get your brain cells snapping
by taking on tonight’s big quiz
16 / SQUADS
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee:
Szymon Marciniak (POL)
Assistant referee 1:
Paweł Sokolnicki (POL)
Assistant referee 2:
Tomasz Listkiewicz (POL)
4th official:
Tomasz Musial (POL)
TYNECASTLE / THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
SCOTLAND v DENMARK / 3

TYNECASTLE / THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021 SCOTLAND v DENMARK / 4

MANAGER’S WELCOME
Good evening and welcome to
Tynecastle Park for tonight’s
match against Denmark.
It’s great to be back on home soil and in front of
supporters again as we get prepared to face a very
strong Under-21 side.
Tonight kicks-off a run of home matches and of course that
gives us an added boost in terms of being competitive and
trying to get the team as far as possible.
However, one of the big things that is important is to
continue on the right track in improving the team’s
coefficient and getting us out of Pot 4. It’s somewhere
we’ve made big strides in over the last couple of years.
Picking up big results against higher-ranked teams, as well
as being competitive in our groups, in recent years has seen
us rise to the top of Pot 4.
Last year we picked up four points against Croatia, the
highest-seeded team in the group, before that we did
similarly well against Holland, so we can take recent
inspiration in to games like tonight.
Every game is individually approached on and off the pitch.
We’re playing the Pot 1 team this time around and we’ve
got a game plan for what we know will be a big challenge
for the players.
This is a different set of players in the Under-21 set up and
giving this sort of experience against a top team to this
group is crucial in their international development.
As I said, we’ve shown before we can do it and we hope
we can be competitive tonight.
I hope you all enjoy the match. It’s great to see you back.
TYNECASTLE / THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
SCOTLAND v DENMARK / 5

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2023 UEFA EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING
TURKEY 1-1 SCOTLAND
Scorers: Turkey: Enis Destan (75’) | Scotland: Glenn Middleton (9 ‘)
TUESDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2021, KICK-OFF 5PM (UK TIME)
BURSA BUYUKSEHIR STADIUM, BURSA, TURKEY
In Scotland’s opening
European Under-21s
Championship qualifier,
both sides fought out an
entertaining 1-1 draw in
Bursa.
Scotland flew out of the traps
and looked confident early on
in the game. After nine minutes
they were 1-0 ahead when
Glenn Middleton unleashed a
fierce shot from the edge of
the box. The Turkey goalkeeper
palmed it away to Adam
Montgomery and the Celtic
winger was able to square
it back to the St Johnstone
midfielder who provided the
finish.
After 66 minutes Gokdeniz
Bayrakdar had the ball in the
back of the net for Turkey
following a great ball, but
fortunately for Scotland he
was adjudged to be marginally
offside.
With 15 minutes to go Ross
Sinclair was called into action
saving a header well, pushing
it out for a corner. From the
resultant set-piece, the ball
dropped in the box for Enis
Destan and he steered it
agonisingly into the corner of
the net.
As the game was nearing
a close Zak Rudden went
close for Scotland, running
clean through on goal but the
goalkeeper was able to make
the stop from close range. He
then had another opportunity
when he tried to dink the
ball over Destanoglu and the
Turkish goalkeeper was able
to make the save. From the
resultant attack Middleton had
an opportunity but once again
the goalkeeper was able to foil
the St Johnstone midfielder.
SCOTLAND
Sinclair, Ramsay, Welsh, Mayo,
Doig, Williamson, Kelly, Kennedy
(Rudden, 63’), Montgomery
(Mackay, 71’), Middleton (C), Scott
(Anderson, 76’). Unused substitutes:
Budinauckas, Stone, Urain,
Murray, Hamilton, Campbell
FIXTURES
Friday, 12 November
SCOTLAND U21s v
KAZAKHSTAN U21s
kick-off 7.05pm,
Tannadice Park
Tuesday, 16 November
SCOTLAND U21s v
BELGIUM U21s
kick-off 7.05pm,
Tannadice Park
Friday, 25 March 2022
SCOTLAND U21s v
TURKEY U21s
kick-off 7.05pm, venue TBC
Tuesday, 29 March 2022
KAZAKHSTAN U21s v
SCOTLAND U21s
Sunday, 5 June 2022
BELGIUM U21s v
SCOTLAND U21s
Friday, 10 June 2022
DENMARK U21s v
SCOTLAND U21s
TYNECASTLE / / THURSDAY, 7 7 OCTOBER 2021 2021
SCOTLAND v DENMARK / 7

TYNECASTLE / THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021 SCOTLAND v DENMARK / 10
› › ›
JOSH
DOIG
JOSH HAS MADE A BIG
IMPRESSION ON SCOTTISH
FOOTBALL AFTER STARRING
IN HIS BREAKTHROUGH
SEASON AT HIBS.

› › ›
TYNECASTLE / THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
SCOTLAND v DENMARK / 11

TYNECASTLE / THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021 SCOTLAND v DENMARK / 12
The young left-back spent the
2019-20 season on loan at Queen’s
Park before making his way into the
Hibs first team last year. Josh made
more than 35 appearances in all
competitions last season in a Hibs side that
finished third and reached the Scottish Cup
Final.
After making his first appearance for the
Under-21s against Turkey, he has been
recalled to the squad to face Denmark. We
caught up with Josh to find out more about his
selection and making a name for himself.
You’ve represented Scotland at U18,
Q U19 and U21 level now, just what does it
mean to you to play for your country?
Playing for my country is massive for me.
A You see what the first team are doing
which inspires the whole nation. I feel so lucky
to be involved in the set-up and being so
close to the first team. It’s certainly one of the
biggest honours for both me and my family to
be representing my country.
There’s an obvious conversation to bring
Q up Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney
when talking about Scottish left-backs. How
much do you look up to these players and
want to follow in their footsteps?
I think every young left-back - Scottish
A boys especially - will be looking up to these
guys. I believe both of them are two of the best
left-backs in world football. Andy Robertson
started at Queen’s Park like myself, so seeing
how his career has progressed into captaining
his country and winning trophies like the
Premier League and the Champions League
is really inspiring. He is at the very top of the
game. It’s certainly the goal to emulate these
players and follow the pathway into the first
team that they have demonstrated is possible.
With another call up to the 21s, how
Q much confidence can that bring you and
can you use examples like Lewis Ferguson
and Billy Gilmour who have recently shown
there is a pathway to Steve Clarke’s side?
It certainly gives me inspiration. I’ve played
A against these guys and playing against
Lewis all season it is clear to see he is a
top-class player. Playing competitive games
against him, especially challenging higher up
the league, makes me think there is no reason
why I shouldn’t be pushing to make it into the
first team. There is a lot of hard work still to
be done but it’s clear Steve Clarke believes in
young players and he isn’t scared to throw
some of the Under-21s into the squad.
After a draw in our opening game
Q in qualifying, what can we take into
the game against what will be a strong
Denmark side?

I think any international game is always
A going to be a well-fought contest and
Denmark are obviously a very strong side.
I felt in the game against Turkey we moved
the ball well and could perhaps have taken
more away from the fixture. For that group, it
was basically our first time together and we
bonded really well as a team. We know it is
going to be a hard game tonight and both
squads are made up of the best under-21
players in their respective countries. We
will certainly go into the game with a lot of
confidence and we need to believe we are
going to pick up all three points.
Last season must have been like a
Q whirlwind for you in so many ways,
breaking into the first team at Hibs and
ending the season with the SFWA Young
Player of the Year award. How do you
reflect on the 2020-21 season?
In truth it all happened so quickly. I felt like
A I was just starting the season and making
my debut and before you know it it’s the end of
the campaign. Obviously reflecting at the end
of the season it was disappointing to lose the
Scottish Cup Final, but all in all I look back and
believe I had a good year. Winning the Young
Player of the Year award and making it into
the Team of the Year was a huge bonus on a
personal level. Now I’m here with the Under-
21s and it’s another reward for me but I can’t
dwell on last year’s achievements - I need to
keep pushing and build on my performances.
You showed huge character to put things
Q like transfer speculation to one side to
then get back to fully focussing on
your game, appearing in Europe
and as part of a strong
Hibs side. How much
are you currently
enjoying your football?
I’m absolutely
A loving it - just
as much as last
season. At the
end of the day
football is
my hobby
and I’ve
been playing
practically since I
could walk. It’s an
absolute honour
to go into work.
Being at Hibs
has been great for me. It’s such a good place
to be, the environment is top class and we
have a brilliant bunch in the changing room.
The speculation at the start of the season was
new for me. It probably did affect me a littel
bit, but Jack Ross was brilliant with me. I was
taken out for a game just to keep my mind at
ease and keep me relaxed, which allowed me
to remain focused on my role at Hibs and how
I could just get back to playing again. Like I
said, I’m really enjoying it and I look forward to
getting out on the pitch at every opportunity.
Finally, with Scot Gemmill in charge -
Q what is it like working with him and what
will the mood in the camp be when you
meet up with the squad next week?
It was another new experience for me
A coming away with the Under-21s and
now having both Jack and Scot to look to
for advice and to help me develop. Scot is
absolutely brilliant; he is so tactical and has a
real determination to succeed. I think he has
passed that on to the squad and has moulded
us as a team very quickly. The coaching staff
as a whole have been amazing to work with
and I’m sure the boys are buzzing to be back
together fighting for qualification.
TYNECASTLE / THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021
SCOTLAND v DENMARK / 13

TYNECASTLE / THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021 SCOTLAND v DENMARK / 14
KIDS
ZONE
Put your cranium
to the test during
half-time to see if
you can answer
these brain-busting
questions!
WORD SEARCH
Can you find the following words
hidden in this word search…
P B W A X H K W Z Z C T G T V
H S L E W E L L I M M E G B U
Y R Y A P V H O O Z F B A N O
T M M H G A E D I N B U R G H
N M I D D L E T O N E S S L S
E B L V A A T I M N N R K X X
W H G N E X T N H D U R M M J
T S V A F A X D T N F G X D D
D O V C R U Y E E A I Z C S O
O R H E C M V N K L M C U W Y
W U N G A K M M O T K Z A E O
X E I Q S Z G A W O V K P P T
G O B E J D N R P C G C H R T
I X B Y I O L K R S Z A W D Y
P Y X K E L T S A C E N Y T K
Middleton
Gemmill
Scotland
Tynecastle
Denmark
Euros
Twenty One
Welsh
SPOT THE BALL
Is A, B or C the real ball being struck by Scotland
Under-21s international forward James Scott in
September’s draw with Turkey?
Next Generation
Edinburgh
C
A
QUIZ TIME
B
Put your knowledge of
Scotland Under-21 to the test?
1. Who scored for Scotland
Under-21s in September’s
draw with Turkey?
2. Can you name the four sides
in Scotland’s European
Championship Qualifying
group?
3. Kai Kennedy, Stephen Kelly,
Ben Williamson, Glenn
Middleton and Lewis Mayo
all play for which side?
4. How many players in the
current squad are contracted
to English Premier League
sides?
5. What is the name of
the Scotland Under-21s
manager?
Answers: Spot the Ball: B. Quiz Time: 1. Glenn Middleton, 2. Kazakhstan, Belgium, Turkey, Denmark; 3. Rangers, 4. 7, 5. Scot Gemmill

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TYNECASTLE / THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2021 SCOTLAND v DENMARK / 16
SCOTLAND
MANAGER:
Scot Gemmill
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
O
Brian Kinnear
West Ham United, PS
Ross Sinclair
St Johnstone
Cieran Slicker
Manchester City
Harrison Ashby
West Ham United
Tom Clayton
Liverpool
Josh Doig
Hibernian
Lewis Mayo
Partick Thistle, PS *
Adam Montgomery
Celtic, PS
Stephen Welsh
Celtic
Scott Banks
Crystal Palace, PS
Jack Burroughs
Ross County **
Lewis Fiorini
Lincoln City ***
Scott High
Huddersfield Town
Stephen Kelly
Rangers, PS
Marc Leonard
Brighton & Hove Albion, PS
Ben Williamson
Livingston *
Kai Kennedy
Dunfermline Athletic, PS *
Dapo Mebude
AFC Wimbledon, PS ****
Glenn Middleton
St Johnstone *
James Scott
Hibernian *****
Jack Stretton
Derby County
PS – Denotes Scottish FA JD
Performance School
Participant
* On loan from Rangers
** On loan from Coventry City
*** On loan from Manchester City
**** On loan from Watford
***** On loan from Hull City
DENMARK
HEAD COACH:
Jesper Sorensen
O 1 Mads Hermansen
Brondby
O 2 Victor Kristiansen
Copenhagen
O 3 Rasmus Carstensen
Silkeborg
O 4 Mathias Ross Jensen
Aab
O 5 Sebastian Hausner
AGF
O 6 Nikolas Nartey
VfB Stuttgart
O 7 Victor Jensen
Ajax
O 8 Gustav Isaksen
Midtjylland
O 9 Mikkel Kaufmann
Copenhagen
O 10 Jesper Lindstrøm
Eintract Frankfurt
O 11 Casper Tengstedt
Horsens
O 12 William Bøving Vick
Copenhagen
O 13 Japhet Sery
Brann
O 14 Morten Frendrup
Brondby
O 15 Frederik Winther
Augsburg
O 16 Lucas Lund Pedersen
Viborg
O 17 Nikolas Dyhr
Midtjylland
O 18 Maurits Kjærgaar
Red Bull Salzburg
O 19 Oliver Villadsen
Nordsjaelland
O 20 Albert Grønbæk Erlykke
AGF
O 21 Magnus Warming
Torino
O 23 Mads Bidstrup
Brentford