How Scotland duo fared against Real Madrid as ex-Hibs man nets a stunner in Italy

A round-up of the Scots on the continent

Scotland duo Scott McKenna and Oli McBurnie were part of a Las Palmas side who gave Real Madrid an early scare before succumbing to a 4-1 defeat in La Liga on Sunday.

McKenna played the full 90 minutes at the Bernabeu in the centre of the visitors' defence where he found himself up against superstar striker Kylian Mbappe while McBurnie was introduced off the bench in the 69th minute.

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Both players moved to the Spanish outfit in the summer with McKenna, a regular in Steve Clarke's squads with 41 caps, establishing himself as one of the first choice centre-backs while McBurnie, who won the last of his 16 caps in March 2021, has featured mostly as a substitute.

Las Palmas defender Scott McKenna keeps a close eye on Real Madrid striker Endrick during the La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)Las Palmas defender Scott McKenna keeps a close eye on Real Madrid striker Endrick during the La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)
Las Palmas defender Scott McKenna keeps a close eye on Real Madrid striker Endrick during the La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images

In the previous meeting between the sides in August, Las Palmas held Carlo Ancelloti's side to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Gran Canaria with McKenna starting and McBurnie providing an assist.

A repeat looked on the cards when Las Palmas stunned the 78,000 home fans by taking the lead just 27 seconds after kick-off through former Rangers loanee Fabio Silva. The Portuguese striker, who is currently on loan at Las Palmas from Wolves after a spell at Ibrox last term, stroked home a Sandro cross from close range for his sixth goal of the season to silence the crowd.

However, that was as good as it got for the away side as Mbappe inspired Real Madrid to a comeback victory, scoring twice to help his side move to the top of the La Liga standings. The Frenchman equalised from the penalty spot in the 18th minute after Rodrygo was fouled inside the box before Brahim Diaz tapped home a rebound for Real's second goal in the 33rd minute.

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Las Palmas substitute Oli McBurnie is challenged by Real Madrid's Chema Andres during the La Liga match at the Bernabeu. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)Las Palmas substitute Oli McBurnie is challenged by Real Madrid's Chema Andres during the La Liga match at the Bernabeu. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Las Palmas substitute Oli McBurnie is challenged by Real Madrid's Chema Andres during the La Liga match at the Bernabeu. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Mbappe extended their advantage three minutes later with a fine first-time effort into the top corner from a cross by Rodrygo, who scored the fourth on a quick counter-attack in the 57th minute. Las Palmas were reduced to 10 men when substitute Benito Ramirez received a straight red card for a studs-up tackle on Lucas Vazquez in the 64th minute but no further damage was inflicted.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Scotland striker Che Adams lasted the full match as 10-man Torino fought back to secure a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina in Serie A. Moise Kean gave the hosts the lead on 38 minutes, five minutes after Ali Dembele had been red carded for the visitors. Despite being a man down Torino equalised through Gvidas Gineitis with 20 minutes left to leave themselves 11th in the Italian top flight. Adams has enjoyed a fine debut season in Italy with six goals and three assists in 22 appearances.

Ex-Celtic and Hibs midfielder Liam Henderson came off the bench to bag an assist in Empoli's 3-1 defeat to Inter Milan at the San Siro. The uncapped 28-year-old was introduced in the 73rd minute when his team were already two goals behind but helped reduce the deficit by delivering the cross which allowed Sebastiano Esposito to reduce the deficit before Inter made sure of the win with a third goal in the 89th minute.

Another ex-Hibs man, Josh Doig, netted his first goal of the season in spectacular style to help Sassuolo claim a 5-3 victory over Sudtirol. The 22-year-old left-back scored his side's second goal with a stunning strike into the top corner from outside the box and also picked up an assist on the opener as Sassuolo moved five points clear at the top of Serie B in their bid to return to the top flight at the first time of asking following last season's relegation.

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