SCOTLAND U21 1
LATVIA U21 0
Scorer: McNaughton (79).
IT may have been a game with nothing at stake, but with the expected changing of the guard about to happen at full international level, the Scotland Under-21 players at least realised they have something to aim for.
With their chances of qualifying for the European Under-21 Championships long gone, last night was a simple case of the youngsters trying to prove to Alex Smith they could cope with a move up to the senior squad. Of all those on show, Michael Stewart, the Manchester United midfielder, Ian Murray, captain for the evening, and Rangers' Stephen Hughes, making his debut, did their reputations no harm.
The trio dominated the midfield and paved the way for a deserved Scotland win, which was secured by a magnificent curling right-foot shot into the top corner of the net by substitute Kevin McNaughton with 11 minutes left.
The first half was a reasonably exciting affair with both sides creating decent chances. For Scotland, a Phillip McGuire header cleared off the line by Jevgenijs Ilovaiskis in 19 minutes and a shot from Shaun Maloney which just went over the bar 12 minutes later was the closest they came to breaking the deadlock.
The Latvians also had their chances, with Andrejs Butriks causing problems to the three- man Scotland defence. Indeed, in only 19 minutes the Latvian striker was unlucky not to win a penalty when James Fowler appeared to foul him in the box which resulted in his justified penalty claim being turned away by the referee, Sergo Kvaratskhelia.
There were also a number of decent chances in the second half, with Maloney showing just why he is good enough to find a place in Celtic's squad. Twice within the first five minutes of the second period he came close to scoring, his first effort being blocked by the Latvian goalkeeper, while his second came off a post.
Tam McManus also came close with a low shot on the turn just after the hour mark, a chance which started a period of Scotland domination.
Although Murray, Hughes and Stewart had a grip on midfield, there was still a lack of service to Maloney and McManus up front and that meant all their good runs in behind the Latvian defenders counted for nothing.
Latvia had to resort to hitting on the break, and apart from an effort from Viktors Morozs which Colin Stewart, who had an impressive debut in the Scotland goal, did well to tip away for a corner, they were mostly pinned back in their own half.
The visitors' brave defending finally crumbled after 79 minutes when McNaughton scored to give Scotland a deserved victory in what was their final European Championship game of the campaign.
Scotland (3-5-2) Stewart; Caldwell, McCracken, McGuire; Fowler, Stewart, Hughes, Murray, Hammell; McManus, Maloney. Subs: Esson, McNaughton, McCunnie, Canero, Simmons, McPhee, Mackie
Latvia (4-4-2) Dorosevs; D Kacanovs, Mihadjuks, Bezzubovs, Ilovaiskis; J Kacanovs, Karlsons; Solonicins, Lasko,;Morozs, Butriks. Subs-Pavlovs, Zencovs, Romanovs, Kolcovs, Boruns, Kains, Sergejevs
Referee Sergo Kvaratskhelia (Georgia)
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