Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team.
Association | Scottish Football Association | ||
---|---|---|---|
Head coach | Scot Gemmill[1] | ||
Most caps | Christian Dailly (35)[2] | ||
Top scorer | Scott Booth (8)[2] Jordan Rhodes (8)[2] | ||
| |||
First international | |||
12 October 1976 | |||
Biggest win | |||
6 September 1995[3] | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
13 August 2013 | |||
UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
Appearances | 6 (first in 1980) | ||
Best result | Semi-finalists (1982, 1992, 1996) |
As a European under-21 team, Scotland compete in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, which is usually held every other year. The team has qualified for the final stages of these Championships on six occasions, although not since 1996. There is no global tournament for under-21 national teams. Performance in the European Championship determines qualification for football at the Summer Olympics, which Scotland is unable to compete in.
History
Scotland played under-23 international matches, mainly friendlies against England and Wales, from 1955 until 1975.[4] Scotland first entered the UEFA competition for under-23 national teams in 1975–76. Scotland reached the quarter-finals, but were eliminated on a penalty shootout by the Netherlands. An under-21 team then came into existence, replacing the under-23 team, when UEFA reduced the age limit.[5]
Scotland under-21s have reached the last four of the European tournament three times (1982, 1992 and 1996), while appearing in the quarter finals on three other occasions (1980, 1984 and 1988). The team qualified for the 1992 Summer Olympics and 1996 Summer Olympics, but were unable to compete due to Scotland not being independently represented in the International Olympic Committee.[6] Similar to the full national side, however, the under-21 team has not qualified for a finals tournament since the late 1990s. The under-21 team reached the playoff round for the 2004 and 2011 tournaments, but lost to Croatia[7] and Iceland[8] respectively.
European Championships
Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1976 | Quarter Final[lower-alpha 1] | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 4 |
1978 | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
1980 | Quarter Final | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 7 |
1982 | Semi Final | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 6 |
1984 | Quarter Final | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 10 |
1986 | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
1988 | Quarter Final | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 4 |
1990 | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 13 |
1992 | Semi Final | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 10 |
1994 | Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 11 |
1996 | Fourth place | 12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 21 | 10 |
1998 | Did not qualify | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
2000 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 12 | |
2002 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | |
2004 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 8 | |
2006 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 17 | |
2007 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |
2009 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 6 | |
2011 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 11 | |
2013 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 9 | |
2015 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 15 | |
2017 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 17 | |
2019 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 13 | |
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided by a penalty shootout.
- Bronze background color indicates third or fourth-place finish (some competitions did not have a third place playoff match).
Other tournaments
Year | Competition | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Toulon Tournament | Sixth Place | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | [9] | |
Toulon Tournament | Third Place | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | [10] | |
Toulon Tournament | Eighth Place | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | [11] | |
Toulon Tournament | Third Place | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | [12] | |
Toulon Tournament | Sixth Place | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | [13] | |
Toulon Tournament | Fourth Place | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | [14] | |
Toulon Tournament | Ninth Place | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | [15] | |
Three Nations Tournament | Winners | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | [16][17] | |
Toulon Tournament | Third Place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | [18] | |
Toulon Tournament | Fourth Place | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | [19] |
Head coaches
Archie Knox left his post as Scotland's National Youth Teams Coach on 30 August 2007 to take up a full-time with Bolton Wanderers as coaching co-ordinator, Maurice Malpas took temporary charge. In January 2008 the SFA appointed a new full-time coach in Billy Stark, who left his job as manager of Second Division side Queen's Park to take the position.[20] Stark resigned from the position in November 2014.[21]
Tenure | Head Coach/Manager |
---|---|
1975–1982 | Andy Roxburgh |
1982–1986 | Walter Smith |
1986–1993 | Craig Brown |
1993–1998 | Tommy Craig[22] |
1998–2002 | Alex Smith[22][23] |
2002–2005 | Rainer Bonhof[23][24] |
2005–2006 | Maurice Malpas (caretaker)[25] |
2006–2007 | Archie Knox[26] |
2007–2008 | Maurice Malpas (caretaker)[27] |
2008–2014 | Billy Stark[20][21] |
2014–2015 | Ricky Sbragia (caretaker)[21] |
2015 | Danny Lennon (caretaker)[28] |
2015–2016 | Ricky Sbragia[29] |
2016–present | Scot Gemmill[1] |
Players
Leading appearances
- As of 18 June 2020[2]
Rank | Player | Club(s) | Period | U-21 Caps |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Christian Dailly | Dundee United | 1990–1996 | 35 |
2 | Steven Pressley | Rangers, Coventry City, Dundee United | 1993–1996 | 27 |
3 | Paul Hanlon | Hibernian | 2009–2012 | 23 |
=4 | Craig Easton | Dundee United | 1997–2001 | 22 |
=4 | Gary Naysmith | Heart of Midlothian | 1996–1999 | 22 |
6 | Shaun Maloney | Celtic | 2001–2005 | 21 |
=7 | Allan Campbell | Motherwell | 2017– | 20 |
=7 | Stuart Armstrong | Dundee United | 2010–2014 | 20 |
=7 | Jamie McCunnie | Dundee United, Ross County, Dunfermline Athletic | 2001–2005 | 20 |
=7 | Jordan McGhee | Heart of Midlothian | 2013–2017 | 20 |
Note: Club(s) represents the permanent clubs during the player's time in the Under-21 team. Those players in bold are still eligible to play for the team at the moment.
Leading goalscorers
- As of 13 September 2018[2]
Rank | Player | Club(s) | Period | U-21 Goals |
---|---|---|---|---|
=1 | Scott Booth | Aberdeen | 1990–1993 | 8 |
=1 | Jordan Rhodes | Huddersfield Town | 2011–2012 | 8 |
=3 | Jamie Murphy | Motherwell | 2008–2010 | 6 |
=3 | Chris Maguire | Aberdeen | 2008–2010 | 6 |
=3 | Jim Hamilton | Dundee, Heart of Midlothian | 1995–1997 | 6 |
=3 | Mark Burchill | Celtic | 1998–2001 | 6 |
=3 | Fraser Hornby | Everton | 2018– | 6 |
=8 | Gerry Creaney | Celtic | 1990–1992 | 5 |
=8 | Christian Dailly | Dundee United | 1990–1996 | 5 |
=8 | Steven Fletcher | Hibernian | 2006–2008 | 5 |
=8 | Simon Lynch | Celtic | 2002–2003 | 5 |
=8 | Shaun Maloney | Celtic | 2001–2005 | 5 |
=8 | Steven Naismith | Kilmarnock, Rangers | 2005–2008 | 5 |
=8 | Steven Thompson | Dundee United | 1997–1999 | 5 |
=8 | Tony Watt | Celtic | 2012–2013 | 5 |
Note: Club(s) represents the permanent clubs during the player's time in the Under-21s. Those players in bold are still eligible to play for the team at the moment.
Eligibility
The team is for players born in the year 21 years before the starting year of each tournament. As each tournament normally takes two years to complete, players can continue to play for the under-21 team after their 22nd birthday. As long as they are eligible, players can play at any level, making it possible to play for the under-21s, senior side and then return to the under-21 side. It is now also possible to play for one country at youth level and another country at senior level (providing the player is eligible).[5] For instance, Nigel Quashie played for England under-21s and Scotland.[5] Until the late 1980s, teams were allowed to select some over-age players in the under-21 team,[30][31][32] similar to the present arrangement in football at the Summer Olympics.[33]
Current squad
The following players were selected for Euro 2021 qualification matches with Croatia and Greece in March 2020.[34]
- As of 10:43, 10 March 2020 (UTC)
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Ross Doohan | 29 March 1998 | 7 | 0 | ||
GK | Robby McCrorie | 18 March 1998 | 7 | 0 | ||
GK | Kieran Wright | 1 April 2000 | 0 | 0 | ||
DF | Daniel Harvie | 14 July 1998 | 9 | 0 | ||
DF | George Johnston | 1 September 1998 | 6 | 0 | ||
DF | Barry Maguire | 27 April 1998 | 3 | 1 | ||
DF | Lewis Mayo | 19 March 2000 | 0 | 0 | ||
DF | Ross McCrorie | 18 March 1998 | 16 | 0 | ||
DF | Patrick Reading | 29 May 1999 | 4 | 0 | ||
DF | Stephen Welsh | 19 January 2000 | 0 | 0 | ||
MF | Lewis Ferguson | 24 August 1999 | 6 | 0 | ||
MF | Billy Gilmour | 11 June 2001 | 11 | 1 | ||
MF | Andy Irving | 13 May 2000 | 0 | 0 | ||
MF | Stephen Kelly | 13 April 2000 | 1 | 0 | ||
MF | Lewis Moore | 4 June 1998 | 0 | 0 | ||
MF | Lewis Smith | 16 March 2000 | 1 | 0 | ||
FW | Louis Appere | 26 March 1999 | 0 | 0 | ||
FW | Jamie Gullan | 2 July 1999 | 0 | 0 | ||
FW | Fraser Hornby | 13 September 1999 | 12 | 6 | ||
FW | Connor McLennan | 5 October 1999 | 3 | 2 | ||
FW | Glenn Middleton | 1 January 2000 | 19 | 1 |
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the Scotland under-21 squad within the last year and remain eligible (current clubs shown).
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DF | Jamie Brandon | 5 February 1998 | 2 | 0 | ||
DF | Tom McIntyre | 6 November 1998 | 1 | 0 | ||
DF | Ryan Porteous | 25 March 1999 | 11 | 0 | ||
DF | Sean Mackie | 4 November 1998 | 1 | 0 | ||
DF | Calvin Miller | 9 January 1998 | 1 | 0 | ||
MF | Allan Campbell | 4 July 1998 | 19 | 0 | ||
MF | Dean Campbell | 19 March 2001 | 0 | 0 | ||
MF | Ewan Henderson | 27 March 2000 | 1 | 0 | ||
MF | Jordan Holsgrove | 10 September 1999 | 4 | 0 | ||
MF | Kyle Magennis | 26 August 1998 | 5 | 0 | ||
MF | Kyle McAllister | 21 January 1999 | 2 | 0 | ||
MF | Jake Hastie | 18 March 1999 | 2 | 0 | ||
MF | Callumn Morrison | 5 July 1999 | 0 | 0 | ||
MF | David Turnbull | 10 July 1999 | 2 | 0 | ||
MF | Iain Wilson | 15 December 1998 | 7 | 0 | ||
FW | Mikey Johnston | 19 April 1999 | 8 | 1 | ||
FW | James Scott | 30 August 2000 | 1 | 0 | ||
FW | Ben House | 5 July 1999 | 2 | 0 | ||
FW | Oli Shaw | 12 March 1998 | 3 | 0 |
Past squads
- 1996 European Championship squad
Notes
- Under-23 competition.
References
- "Scotland U21: Coach Ricky Sbragia makes way for Scot Gemmill". BBC Sport. 7 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
- "Alltime Player Records". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
- "Alltime Club Records". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- "Results List". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- Abrahall, Csaba (January 2007). "Age of ascent". When Saturday Comes. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- Gibbons, Glenn (5 February 2009). "Craig Brown battles to preserve Scottish football rights by opposing Team GB". The Scotsman. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
- "Bonhof hails defeated Scots". BBC Sport. 18 November 2003. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- "Coach Billy Stark proud of Scotland U21s development". BBC Sport. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- "Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon 1977". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- "Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon 1991". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- "Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon 1992". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- "Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon 1993". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- "Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon 1994". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- "Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon 1995". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- "Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon 1997". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- "U-21 Three Nations Tournament (Northern Ireland) 2000". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- "Goalscorer Notman will demand transfer to find greater glory". Herald Scotland. 30 May 2000. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
"All eyes are on Miller who proves different class against the Welsh". Herald Scotland. 1 June 2000. Retrieved 1 June 2019. - "Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon 2017". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- "Tournoi Espoirs de Toulon 2018". RSSSF. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
- "Billy Stark". www.scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- "Scotland: Billy Stark 'steps down' as under-21 coach". BBC Sport. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- "Football: Smith protects his youngsters". The Independent. 14 October 1998. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- "Bonhof for Scotland job". BBC Sport. 10 July 2002. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- "Bonhof chose to leave Scots U-21s". BBC Sport. 26 November 2005. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- "Malpas is the new Motherwell boss". BBC Sport. 17 May 2006. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- "Knox lands Scotland under-21 role". BBC Sport. 3 July 2006. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- "Malpas considering career change". BBC Sport. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
- "Danny Lennon in temporary charge of Scotland under-21s". BBC Sport. 18 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- "Ricky Sbragia is new Scotland Under-21 head coach". BBC Sport. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
- Paul, Ian (20 January 1984). "Scotland to warm up against France". The Herald. Herald & Times Group. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- Reynolds, Jim (6 February 1980). "Archibald is only over-age player in Stein's squad". The Herald. Herald & Times Group. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- Traynor, Jim (7 March 1989). "Young ones take on French mantle". The Herald. Herald & Times Group. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- "UEFA defends decision to keep over-age stars out of Olympics". The Argus Press. 3 February 1996. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
- @ScotlandNT (10 March 2020). "#SCO21s: Scot Gemmill has named his Scotland Under-21s squad for our upcoming @UEFAUnder21 qualifiers against Croatia and Greece. Croatia (H) – Friday 27 March, 7pm – Tynecastle Park; Greece (A) – Tuesday 31 March – 5pm – Theodoros Vardinoyannis Stadium. #YoungTeam" (Tweet). Retrieved 10 March 2020 – via Twitter.
External links
- SFA (under 21s)
- Uefa Under-21 website Contains full results archive
- Complete U21 results and player statistics at FitbaStats
- Complete U23 results and player statistics at FitbaStats