Magennis shines for Scots in Croatia

Saints ace helps side to victory

St Mirren’s Kyle Magennis helped restore some national pride this week as Scotland Under- 21s came from behind to stun Croatia.

The Buddies star, 21, played the full tie in Šibenik as super sub Connor McLennan bagged two late goals in a 2-1 win.

It came 24 hours after another miserable night at Hampden when the senior side lost 4-0 to Belgium.

The impact wasn’t lost on gaffer Scot Gemmill as his young side showed huge character to overcome the odds at 1-0 down.

It’s now two wins out of two for the under-21s in their Euro 2021 campaign as they aim to qualify for a finals tournament for the first time since 1996.

Gemmill said: “It was an unbelievable feeling to see the players execute the game plan.

“It was superb we had that kind of quality on the bench — it hasn’t always been the case.

“This is a new group and to beat a Pot One team away from home is a top achievement.

“It definitely ranks up there. “I’m so pleased for the players. “They’ve shown they can be trusted and are willing enough and clever enough to do it. “They’ve shown they have belief. “We had two different games — one where there is a huge expectancy to beat San Marino and break them down and we did that well.

“The energy and intensity to win the ball back — it’s a long time since I saw a Scotland team do that.

“Then to play a Pot One team, go a goal down and still have resilience, belief and intelligence to keep executing the game plan.

“Connor and Glenn came on and made the difference. It was a mature performance.”

The Croats took a tenth-minute lead after a cross from their captain Dinamo Zagreb’s Nikola Moro, for clubmate Sandro Kulenovic, who gave keeper Ross Doohan no chance with a header.

The Scots looked a lot better after the break and, with 20 minutes to go, Fraser Hornby stabbed a shot at goal from a Jordan Holsgrove cross, but was denied by Chievo keeper Adrian Semper.

Gemmill threw on Glen Middleton and McLennan and, minutes later, the on-loan Hibs star darted down the left and whipped in a cross for McLennan to take a touch and drill home.

Scotland grabbed a late winner after Hornby was again denied as Ross McCrorie arrowed in a cross for the onrushing McLennan to head in.

St Mirren’s Kyle McAllister, who came off the bench last Thursday in the under-21s 2-0 win over San Marino in Paisley, was an unused substitute in Croatia.

Gemmill’s side will host Lithuania on October 10 before a trip to the Czech Republic four days later.