Gemmill on a high thanks to a dose of Dutch courage
LIKE the old Edinburgh buses, goals for Scotland’s Under-21 side are a long time in coming but appear to have a happy habit of eventually arriving in pairs.
When Oliver Burke lashed into the Dutch net from close range in Paisley last night, 614 minutes had expired since we had last troubled the scoresheet at this level. Thankfully, as Stevie Mallan was to demonstrate 11 minutes from time, it was to prove no fluke.
Make no mistake — despite the billing that always accompanies Holland at this level, Scot Gemmill’s side were deserved and handsome winners.
Twenty-four hours after the A squad clawed qualification for the World Cup back within their grasp, this was the perfect start for the under-age side as they started out on their road to Euro 2019.
Skipper Burke, the 20-year-old Kirkcaldy-born winger who has already commanded £28million in transfer fees after joining West Brom from RB Leipzig, grabbed the limelight with the all-important opener. But this was a collective triumph for a team which, in terms of technical ability, was at least the equal of the men in orange.
‘It was a complete performance,’ said Gemmill. ‘It wasn’t just one or two things that went well.
‘We challenged the players to play with that intensity, determination, willingness, concentration and intelligence.
‘You have to give them a lot of credit — to play that at that level against very good opposition.
‘The players really showed their level and should feel pleased.’
Despite being without a goal in 18 months, Gemmill’s side started confidently. Local hero Lewis Morgan’s craft started a sequence of set-plays which ended with John Souttar volleying Dominic Thomas’ corner over the bar.
With Burke and Thomas paired up front, the Dutch backline were given no time to settle. One stray pass allowed Thomas to feed Morgan, only for the midfielder to drag the ball beyond the far post.
Without creating many clear-cut opportunities, Gemmill would have been pleased with the way Scotland acquitted themselves in the opening half-hour.
From Ryan Fulton’s kick from hands, Burke outjumped his marker to put Thomas in behind. The Kilmarnock man’s centre was good but ran harmlessly across Joel Drommel’s goal.
Morgan’s energy and direct play were impressive. Dispossessing Bart Ramselaar on the left, he motored towards goal and almost caught out the Dutch keeper with a toe-poke from a standing start.
It took Holland until the 34th minute to threaten when Steven Bergwijn caught the outside of the post with an opportunist strike.
Only Drommel’s reflexes prevented Gemmill’s men taking a slender advantage up the tunnel at the interval. Mallan’s delivery from a deep free-kick was claimed by Scott McKenna. The Aberdeen man’s header looked in all the way until the keeper clawed it to safety.
It was a game remarkably devoid of incident, with a set-piece always looking the most likely way to goal.
Mallan’s delivery was Scotland’s main weapon throughout, with Souttar inches away from connecting with McKenna’s flick-on before the opener arrived.
Mallan, formerly of this parish but now of Barnsley, fashioned another sweet delivery along the six-yard line. The Dutch made a mess of clearing the ball, allowing Burke to drill it home.
Ten hours and 14 minutes since the young Scots last scored at this level, Gemmill was entitled to briefly savour the moment.
The impact the goal had on Burke’s confidence was obvious; backheels and flicks were soon finding their intended recipients.
With 11 minutes left, the second goal Scotland richly deserved duly arrived. Mallan had just been booked for a late tackle on the spectacularly-named Denzel Dumfries, but was unfazed.
Souttar’s long ball asked a question of the ragged Dutch defence for which they had no answer. Pablo Rosario’s woeful attempt at a backpass was pounced upon by Mallan and the result was never in doubt from the minute he looked into the whites of Drommel’s eyes. Did someone say feelgood factor? Scotland (4-4-2): Fulton; Ralston, Souttar, McKenna, Taylor; Cadden, Wilson, Mallan, Morgan; Burke (Archibald 85), Thomas (McCrorie 72). Subs not used: Ruddy, Johnston, Hardie, McBurnie, Wright. Booked: Mallan. Man of the match: Lewis Morgan. Referee: Rade Obrenovic (Slovenia) Attendance: 2,474.