Gers Kids Aid Scots Success

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SCOTLAND'S under-21 side featured five Light Blues youngsters as Billy Stark's team saw off Northern Ireland 3-1 at Firhill.

 

Jamie NessKyle Hutton made his debut at under-21 level alongside Ross Perry and John Fleck in the starting line up.

 

Hutton and Fleck made way with the Scots leading 2-1 with Gregg Wylde and Jamie Ness joining the action.

 

Gers' under-19 shot stopper Wayne Drummond was the man beaten in the Northern Ireland goal as he claimed the No.1 shirt for 90 minutes.

 

Dundee's Leigh Griffiths got the Scots off to an ideal start after 11 minutes before Torquay's Eunan O'Kane levelled after 34 minutes.

 

Scotland captain Paul Hanlon restored the lead and a late Nick Ross goal added some shine to the scoreline.

 

Stark had selected an inexperienced squad ahead of the qualifying campaign for the European Championships in 2013 and will be pleased with the contribution of the young Gers.

 

Fleck was impressive in wide roles on each flank while Hutton and Wylde showed positive flashes on their debut outings.

 

Perry was steady at the back and took the captain's armband when Hanlon was withdrawn.

 

Walter Smith will also be pleased to see some of his youngsters getting some game time, with Ness in particular delighted to be back on the pitch.

 

The midfielder has been sidelined for the Light Blues but will now hope to push on after looking composed in a 15 minute outing.

 

Beating Celtic, hitting the top of the league and playing well for Scotland youth is very encouraging. Maybe Murray Park is starting to pay dividends.

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Don't expect anything in the main stream press about that anytime soon though.