Scotland 0 Holland 1: Memphis Depay scores winner to down Malky Mackay’s men in Aberdeen
Mackay handed debuts to Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and Ryan Jack as Kieran Tierney was handed the captaincy for the first time
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MEMPHIS DEPAY stuck a clog into Scotland with a Pittodrie winner.
But for once there was no critical need to also put a boot into our national team.
Malky Mackay spoke of a desire to give the Tartan Army a feeling of hope at full-time in the aftermath of yet another crushing qualifying campaign.
But in debutants Ryan Jack, Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor we had performers of genuine promise.
And John McGinn also showed he is more than capable of stepping into missing skipper Scott Brown’s shoes with an aggressive, assertive display – especially second half.
Mackay gave the captaincy to Kieran Tierney who, at 20, became our second youngest leader in a century behind the also absent Darren Fletcher.
And the prodigious Celtic kid once more demonstrated his character and ability.
McGinn’s appearance was a surprise but Stuart Armstrong had suffered an injury in training the night before.
There was a creditable 16,000-plus crowd inside Pittodrie – and ex-Aberdeen skipper Jack was booed as the line-ups were announced and thereafter with every touch.
The locals don’t appreciate their players leaving for Rangers. Never mind he was trying his best for the country.
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Mackay had passionately defended Scottish football with his pre-match comments, but even he would surely have felt a little embarrassed by the farcical fact we needed THREE balls in as many minutes with French ref Ruddy Buquet rating each of them too soft.
But it was the hopes of the Scots fans for real excitement that were to quickly go flat.
Some decent moments of skill apart from the likes of McGregor and Christie, the first half was dull.
Scotland – at least looking the part in a smart, classically designed new home kit - were aiming to go a calendar year without losing at the eighth time of asking.
And they could’ve taken the lead from one of two glaring opportunities within seconds in the seventh minute.
First makeshift striker Matt Phillips had a close range shot brilliantly blocked by Karim Rekik and from the ricochet an unmarked James Forrest, 12 yards out, had an effort of his own also superbly deflected to safety by Nathan Ake.
At that stage it was promising for a young Scots team who looked comfortable enough in the opening stages against a nation nowhere near what it used to be at international level – now two successive tournament qualifying failures – but still a great name.
Phillips was too slow to make the most of a long ball from Tierney, holding off too long to have a shot when appearing to be clear in on goal and allowing a blocking tackle from Rekik.
By the 15th minute, however, the game had become a non-event.
Tierney’s biggest early worry – with the Dutch offering nothing in attack - came from the hapless Christophe Berra who clattered him when going for the same high ball.
Dick Advocaat’s side showed up for the first time as a threat with a 27th minute corner – ultimately Danny Blind shooting high and wide from distance.
Then onetime Manchester United dud Depay produced a trundler which was easy for Scots No1 Craig Gordon.
It was hardly gripping stuff for the fans, including less than 100 in the South Stand for Holland.
Christie and McGregor were our obvious creative sparks, both clearly eager to impress.
But five minutes from the break Depay struck – despite TV pictures showing both him and provider Ryan Babel to be offside.
A quick break, following a poor McGregor pass, saw Depay go deep into the Scotland half before finding Georginio Wijnaldum wide right and carrying on his run to the far post.
The Liverpool star released Babel and from his ball across the face of goal Depay had a tap-in from a few yards.
It was harsh on Scotland who while hardly being excellent had at least competed well and had more chances.
Five minutes into the second half Philips was once again too slow to react to a through pass – this time allowing a superb McGregor ball into the box to run past him.
McGinn at last showed something of his Hibs best with a left foot from 25-yards which flashed inches past the post.
Scotland, to be fair, played with a bit of flair for the last half hour; McGregor stinging the hands of Jasper Cillessen with a powerful strike.
Ex-Don Ryan Fraser was given a great welcome by the home supporters as he replaced Forrest – then, with his first touch, showed stunning control for a searching Tierney cross-field ball to immediately fly past Bournemouth team-mate Ake.
Moments later his left foot shot went narrowly wide.
Jason Cummings was thrown on for his debut in the 88th minute and just seconds later should’ve scored – a left foot shot in the box too comfortable for Cillessen to smother.
This was a disappointing defeat – but there was still enough to hold onto for the future.
