MX23RW : Monday, June 14 07:15:17| >> :120:31549:31549:

Four talking points from Scotland's draw with the Netherlands

Four talking points from Scotland's draw with the Netherlands
© Reuters
Jack Hendry and Kevin Nisbet scored in a 2-2 draw.

Scotland kicked off their Euro 2020 warm-up by drawing 2-2 with Holland in the Algarve.

Memphis Depay struck twice for Frank De Boer's team after Jack Hendry and Kevin Nisbet fired the Scots in front.

Here PA takes a look at what we learned from the match.

Late lapse but signs of encouragement

Portugal Netherlands Scotland Soccer
(Miguel Morenatti/AP)

Steve Clarke will be frustrated with the two goals his side allowed Depay to net as Holland rescued the draw. The Lyon ace's late set-piece equaliser will sting especially given the harsh nature of the foul given against Hendry but there is also plenty to be encouraged about after Scotland more than matched up to a side packed with world-class talent. If Clarke can find a way to cut out those lapses in concentration then Tartan Army will might just find themselves on a thrill ride to the knockout stages.

Covid chaos

Steve Clarke
(Tim Goode/PA)

The last thing Clarke needs as he prepares for Scotland's first major tournament in 23 years is a coronavirus outbreak, so the news that John Fleck had returned a positive test on the eve of Wednesday's clash with the Oranje will have left the Scotland coach breaking out in a cold sweat. The SFA insist it was with "ultra caution" that they left David Marshall, Stephen O'Donnell, Nathan Patterson, Grant Hanley, John McGinn and Che Adams out of the squad to face the Dutch having been in the same general vicinity as the Sheffield United ace at their Spanish training base. Clarke will now be praying that safety-first approach averts any more Covid scares before his team's Euros opener with the Czech Republic on June 14.

Nisbet stays good to his word

Hibernian ace Kevin Nisbet insisted earlier this week he would score if given the chance and he backed those words up within two minutes of being introduced. The former Partick Thistle and Dunfermline striker is expected to provide back-up to Adams and Lyndon Dykes but he will hope his sudden impact will fire him up Clarke's pecking order.

Tough introduction for Turnbull

The Celtic ace's first Scotland appearance was a lesson in the concentration levels required at international level. The 21-year-old switched off for one brief moment and paid a heavy price as Depay swept home Holland's first equaliser. To be fair to Turnbull, he settled down after that mistake and almost doubled Scotland's lead as his curling strike licked the bar on its way over.

ID:450029: cacheID:450029:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7033:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
Read Next:
The big talking points ahead of this week's friendly fixtures
>

rhs 2.0
Euro 2020 fixtures
Monday, June 14, 2021
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
 
8pm
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
 
2pm
 
5pm
Thursday, June 17, 2021
 
5pm
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38275683325186
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd382111673442974
3Liverpool38209968422669
4Chelsea381910958362267
5Leicester CityLeicester382061268501866
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham381981162471565
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs381881268452362
8Arsenal381871355391661
9Leeds UnitedLeeds38185156254859
10Everton38178134748-159
11Aston Villa38167155546955
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle38129174662-1645
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38129173652-1645
14Crystal Palace38128184166-2544
15Southampton38127194768-2143
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton38914154046-641
17Burnley38109193355-2239
RFulham38513202753-2628
RWest Bromwich AlbionWest Brom38511223576-4126
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3872292063-4323

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!