Bain strike in vain for Scotland

A GOAL by teenage striker Kenny Bain was the only comfort as Scotland lost 3-1 to Ireland in the opening fixture of the annual Celtic Cup in Le Touquet yesterday.

Unlike the other sides in the competition – Ireland, Wales and France – the Scots are in preparation mode for the Delhi Games and coach Russell Garcia opted to include a number of under-21 and fringe players in the line-up.

Having gone in at the interval 2-0 down, the Scots gave themselves a lifeline 10 minutes into the second half when a Cammie Fraser volley was saved and Glynhill Kelburne striker Bain followed up to push the ball home. As the Scots searched for an equaliser, a Gavin Byers effort sped just wide after great work from Josh Cairns, but the Irish killed off the contest five minutes from time.