McLeish’s reign hit by early blow as Scots decked by Costa Ricans

ALEX McLeish began his second tenure as Scotland boss with an uninspiring 1-0 defeat by Costa Rica at Hampden Park.

An experimental home side, who started with four debutants, fell behind in the 14th minute when Marco Urena scored what proved to be the winner with a well-taken finish.

The only previous meeting between the two countries was at the Italia 90 World Cup when Costa Rica won 1-0 in what was their first ever World Cup match.

This result was less of a surprise — Los Ticos are on their way to Russia in the summer for their fifth World Cup appearance.

Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna, Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay — watched by club boss Jose Mourinho — Fulham playmaker Kevin McDonald and Swansea striker Oli McBurnie, on loan at Barnsley, were the new faces starting.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Kaylor Navas was the biggest visiting name with Celtic defender Cristian Gamboa, a bit-part player at Parkhead, playing wing-back.

The Central American side looked neat and tidy and their opener was simple, Sunderland’s Bryan Oviedo getting free down the left and cutting it back for Los Angeles FC’s Urena to sidefoot past keeper Allan McGregor with some assurance.

McBurnie looked the most likely Scot to score, but his 27th minute drive was parried clear by Navas, and his shot before the break was blocked by Oscar Duarte.

In the second half, Costa Rica captain Bryan Ruiz clipped the bar with a left-footed shot.

In the 65th minute, Navas palmed a powerful Ritchie drive on to the roof of the net for a corner, which McBurnie headed over before he just failed to get on the end of a Robertson cross.

Late on, Andy Robertson headed a Callum Paterson cross wide of the target to leave the hosts scoreless.