Association | Scottish Football Association | ||
---|---|---|---|
Head coach | Scot Gemmill[1] | ||
Most caps | Christian Dailly (35)[2] | ||
Top scorer | Fraser Hornby (10)[3] | ||
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First international | |||
![]() ![]() 12 October 1976 | |||
Biggest win | |||
![]() ![]() 13 October 2020[3] | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
![]() ![]() 13 August 2013 | |||
UEFA U-21 Championship | |||
Appearances | 6 (first in 1980) | ||
Best result | Semi-finalists (1982, 1992, 1996) |
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.
As a European under-21 team, Scotland compete in the UEFA European Under-21 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.
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] The under-21 team has not qualified for a finals tournament since the late 1990s. They reached the playoff round for the 2004 and 2011 tournaments, but lost to Croatia[7] and Iceland[8] respectively.
In 2018, an under-21 squad returned to the Toulon Tournament.[9] Despite the loss to Turkey in a penalty-out for third-place.[10] Scotland did receive the tournament Fair Play Award.[11]
Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place 0000 Tournament held on home soil
Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Quarter-finals | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 4 |
![]() | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
![]() | Quarter-finals | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 7 |
![]() | Semi-finals | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 6 |
![]() | Quarter-finals | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 10 |
![]() | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
![]() | Quarter-finals | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 4 |
![]() | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 13 |
![]() | Semi-finals | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 18 | 10 |
![]() | Did not qualify | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 11 |
![]() | Fourth-place | 12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 21 | 10 |
![]() | Did not qualify | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
![]() | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 12 | |
![]() | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | |
![]() | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 8 | |
![]() | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 17 | |
![]() | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |
![]() | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 6 | |
![]() | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 18 | 11 | |
![]() | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 9 | |
![]() | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 15 | |
![]() | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 17 | |
![]() ![]() | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 13 | 13 | |
![]() ![]() | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 16 | 5 | |
![]() ![]() | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 10 | |
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided by a penalty shootout.
Year | Competition | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Toulon Tournament | 6th place | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | [12] |
![]() | Toulon Tournament | Group Stage | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | [13] |
![]() | Toulon Tournament | Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | [14] |
![]() | Toulon Tournament | Semi-finals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | [15] |
![]() | Toulon Tournament | Group Stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | [16] |
![]() | Toulon Tournament | Semi-finals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | [17] |
![]() | Toulon Tournament | Group Stage | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | [18] |
![]() | Three Nations Tournament | 1st place | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | [19][20] |
![]() | Toulon Tournament | 4th place | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | [21] |
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided by a penalty shootout.
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.[22] Stark resigned from the position in November 2014.[23]
Tenure | Head Coach/Manager |
---|---|
1975–1982 | Andy Roxburgh |
1982–1986 | Walter Smith |
1986–1993 | Craig Brown |
1993–1998 | Tommy Craig[24] |
1998–2002 | Alex Smith[24][25] |
2002–2005 | Rainer Bonhof[25][26] |
2005–2006 | Maurice Malpas (caretaker)[27] |
2006–2007 | Archie Knox[28] |
2007–2008 | Maurice Malpas (caretaker)[29] |
2008–2014 | Billy Stark[22][23] |
2014–2015 | Ricky Sbragia (caretaker)[23] |
2015 | Danny Lennon (caretaker)[30] |
2015–2016 | Ricky Sbragia[31] |
2016–present | Scot Gemmill[1] |
Rank | Name | Years | Clubs | Appearances | Goals | GPG Ratio. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Christian Dailly | 1990–1996 | Dundee United | 35 | 5 | 0.14 |
2 | Steven Pressley | 1993–1996 | Rangers, Coventry City, Dundee United | 27 | 1 | 0.04 |
3 | Allan Campbell | 2017–2020 | Motherwell | 24 | 1 | 0.04 |
4 | Paul Hanlon | 2009–2012 | Hibernian | 23 | 3 | 0.13 |
5 | Craig Easton | 1997–2001 | Dundee United | 22 | 2 | 0.09 |
5 | Gary Naysmith | 1996–1999 | Heart of Midlothian | 22 | 0 | 0 |
5 | Glenn Middleton | 2018–2022 | Rangers | 22 | 5 | 0.23 |
8 | Shaun Maloney | 2001–2005 | Celtic | 21 | 5 | 0.24 |
9 | Stuart Armstrong | 2010–2014 | Dundee United | 20 | 4 | 0.2 |
9 | Jamie McCunnie | 2001–2005 | Dundee United, Ross County, Dunfermline Athletic | 20 | 1 | 0.05 |
9 | Jordan McGhee | 2001–2005 | Heart of Midlothian | 20 | 0 | 0 |
9 | Ross McCrorie | 2016–2020 | Rangers, Portsmouth, Aberdeen | 20 | 1 | 0.05 |
Note: Club(s) represents the clubs the player was with while he played for the Scotland under-21 team. Those players in bold are eligible to play for the team now.
Rank | Name | Years | Clubs | Appearances | Goals | GPG Ratio. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Fraser Hornby | 2018–2020 | Everton, Kortrijk, Reims | 18 | 10 | 0.56 |
2 | Jordan Rhodes | 2011–2012 | Huddersfield Town | 8 | 8 | 1 |
2 | Scott Booth | 1990–1993 | Aberdeen | 15 | 8 | 0.53 |
4 | Chris Maguire | 2008–2010 | Aberdeen | 12 | 6 | 0.5 |
4 | Jamie Murphy | 2008–2010 | Motherwell | 13 | 6 | 0.46 |
4 | Jim Hamilton | 1995–1997 | Dundee, Heart of Midlothian | 14 | 6 | 0.43 |
4 | Mark Burchill | 1998–2001 | Celtic | 15 | 6 | 0.4 |
8 | Steven Fletcher | 2006–2008 | Hibernian | 7 | 5 | 0.71 |
8 | Tony Watt | 2012–2013 | Celtic | 9 | 5 | 0.56 |
8 | Gerry Creaney | 1990–1992 | Celtic | 12 | 5 | 0.42 |
8 | Steven Thompson | 1997–1999 | Dundee United | 12 | 5 | 0.42 |
8 | Simon Lynch | 2002–2003 | Celtic | 13 | 5 | 0.38 |
8 | Steven Naismith | 2005–2008 | Kilmarnock, Rangers | 16 | 5 | 0.31 |
8 | Shaun Maloney | 2001–2005 | Celtic | 21 | 5 | 0.24 |
8 | Christian Dailly | 1990–1996 | Dundee United | 35 | 5 | 0.14 |
8 | Glenn Middleton | 2018–2022 | Rangers | 22 | 5 | 0.23 |
Note: Club(s) represents the clubs the player was with while he played for the Scotland under-21 team. Those players in bold are eligible to play for the team now.
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.[citation needed] 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,[33][34][35] similar to the present arrangement in football at the Summer Olympics.[36]
The following players were selected for a friendly match with Iceland in November 2022.[37][38]
Caps and goals updated as of 17 November 2022, after the match against Iceland. Clubs correct as of 25 September 2022.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1GK | Jay Hogarth | (2003-07-18) 18 July 2003 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
1GK | Sam Long | (2002-11-12) 12 November 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
1GK | Jude Smith | (2003-05-29) 29 May 2003 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Ibane Bowat | (2002-09-15) 15 September 2002 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Adam Devine | (2003-03-25) 25 March 2003 (age 19) | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Robbie Fraser | (2003-04-02) 2 April 2003 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Max Johnston | (2003-12-26) 26 December 2003 (age 18) | 1 | 1 | ![]() | |
2DF | Connor McAvoy | (2002-02-16) 16 February 2002 (age 20) | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Liam Morrison | (2003-04-07) 7 April 2003 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
2DF | Lewis Neilson | (2003-05-15) 15 May 2003 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Connor Barron | (2002-08-29) 29 August 2002 (age 20) | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Hayden Hackney | (2002-06-26) 26 June 2002 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Alex Lowry | (2003-06-23) 23 June 2003 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Archie Meekison | (2002-05-04) 4 May 2002 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Josh Mulligan | (2002-11-12) 12 November 2002 (age 20) | 4 | 1 | ![]() | |
3MF | Connor Smith | (2002-02-01) 1 February 2002 (age 20) | 4 | 0 | ![]() | |
4FW | Tommy Conway | (2002-08-06) 6 August 2002 (age 20) | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
3MF | Tom Dickson-Peters | (2002-09-16) 16 September 2002 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
4FW | Ben Doak | (2005-11-11) 11 November 2005 (age 17) | 3 | 1 | ![]() |
The following players have also been called up to the Scotland under-21 squad and remain eligible (current clubs shown).
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Cieran Slicker | (2002-09-15) 15 September 2002 (age 20) | 5 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Lewis Budinauckas | (2002-06-19) 19 June 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
GK | Harry Stone | (2002-04-20) 20 April 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Josh Doig | (2002-05-18) 18 May 2002 (age 20) | 7 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Leon King | (2004-04-14) 14 April 2004 (age 18) | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Calvin Ramsay | (2003-07-31) 31 July 2003 (age 19) | 3 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Josh Reid | (2002-05-03) 3 May 2002 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Adam Montgomery | (2002-02-18) 18 February 2002 (age 20) | 4 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Aaron Hickey | (2002-06-10) 10 June 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Jamie Hamilton | (2002-03-01) 1 March 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Dane Murray | (2003-06-26) 26 June 2003 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Elliot Anderson | (2002-11-06) 6 November 2002 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Cole McKinnon | (2003-01-29) 29 January 2003 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Matthew Craig | (2003-04-16) 16 April 2003 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Michael Craig | (2003-04-16) 16 April 2003 (age 19) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Lucas De Bolle | (2002-10-22) 22 October 2002 (age 20) | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Jay Henderson | (2002-03-07) 7 March 2002 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Chris Mochrie | (2003-04-07) 7 April 2003 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Flynn Clarke | (2002-12-19) 19 December 2002 (age 19) | 1 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Lewis Fiorini | (2002-05-17) 17 May 2002 (age 20) | 5 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Kieron Bowie | (2002-09-21) 21 September 2002 (age 20) | 2 | 1 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Stuart McKinstry | (2002-09-18) 18 September 2002 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Rory Wilson | (2006-01-05) 5 January 2006 (age 16) | 2 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Kai Kennedy | (2002-03-28) 28 March 2002 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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General |
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Venues | |||||
Statistics |
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Results |
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Players |
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Goals |
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World Finals |
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European Finals |
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Other tournaments |
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Culture |
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Matches |
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SFA teams |
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National under-21 men's football teams of Europe (UEFA) | |
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Active |
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Defunct |
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