Levein hails U21s courage in Dutch victory

SCOTLAND manager Craig Levein led the praise of Billy Stark’s under-21 team last night, congratulating them on a performance of “great maturity and determination” in their 2-1 victory over the Netherlands.

Goals in each half from Jordan Rhodes and David Wotherspoon produced the Monday-night win in Nijmegen which leaves Scotland just a point behind the Dutch in Euro Championship Qualifying Group Ten.

It was a confident, attacking display from the young Scots, who got off to the best possible start when Rhodes scored in the opening minute to stun the hosts. The Dutch got back into the match before half-time when they were awarded an equaliser after goalkeeper Mark Ridgers was ruled to have dropped the ball over the line. But Scotland remained true to their attacking instincts and Wotherspoon’s goal ten minutes into the second half proved the winner.

Huddersfield striker Rhodes was one of three players drafted in to the under-21s after being part of the senior squad who beat Cyprus 2-1 in a friendly last Friday, the others being Celtic winger James Forrest and Liverpool defender Danny Wilson. But, while praising the contributions of those three, Levein emphasised that the unexpected success in the Netherlands had been very much a team effort.

“I am absolutely thrilled for Billy and the under-21 squad,” Levein said.

“The performance against one of the most respected teams in European football was exceptional and the team showed great maturity and determination to come back from losing an unfortunate equaliser. To go to Holland and set the tone with the earlier opener showed great character.

“It has completed a positive week for the national teams, coming on the back of our own victory against Cyprus in Larnaca. Having spoken to Billy and [SFA Performance Director] Mark Wotte before naming my squad, I am aware of the importance of giving the under-21s the best chance of qualifying possible.

“It was with this in mind that James Forrest and Danny Wilson were allowed to return to the under-21s and also why we brought Jordan Rhodes to Cyprus for the experience of an A squad international. Having made his senior debut on Friday, you could also see the confidence and ability in abundance in Nijmegen.

“All three have big international futures ahead of them but last night was a real team effort.

“We are committed to the Performance Strategy at the Scottish FA and the style of football and the way in which the under-21s handled the environment is a credit to Billy and the country.

“We need to work together to promote the work that Mark is doing within the Performance Strategy. I believe the result will be important in maintaining that positive momentum.”

Wotte, who is Dutch, said he had been delighted by the positive spirit shown by the team against his compatriots.

“I would like to give my congratulations to Billy, his squad and his staff for an excellent result,” Wotte said.

“Having travelled to the match, I cannot speak highly enough of the team spirit and the positive philosophy that I believe is key to the Performance Strategy succeeding.

“It was a great result, and one that will give the players huge confidence for the rest of the campaign. They know there is still work to be done, but they proved themselves against a very accomplished side at under-21 international level.

“I am sure Billy and his boys look forward to Holland coming to Scotland in February, and I ask that the whole country gets behind the team and that we have a strong support at St Mirren Park to help us improve our qualification prospects even further. It was funny being a Dutchman in Holland cheering on Scotland. I left with a smile after that result, which some of the Dutch media noticed.”

Keeping his feet very much on the ground, Stark said he expected a fierce response from the group leaders after the shock of losing at home. “They will be angry,” he said. “They are not used to being beaten, and not used to being beaten on their own patch.

“But that’s football. We put in a terrific performance last night. On reflection, and I haven’t seen the game again, it was a deserved victory.

“Sometimes you can dig in and get a result that way, but we went forward and provided a threat. So I was delighted with the performance as much as the result, and we are pretty buoyant.

“We have shown a good consistency of performances over the last couple of years, although we haven’t always got the result. We can’t be assured of that in the second game.

“They will be big favourites again. We will see how we are fixed and who is available for the return game.”

Stark added that, with points already having been dropped at home to Bulgaria and Austria, Scotland could not afford to congratulate themselves too much about Monday’s win.

“He also believed that, despite their surprising defeat, the Dutch are still favourites to win the group. “It is just three points and there is a long way to go,” he added.

“It is the middle of the campaign and what I said at the beginning is being borne out. Nothing has changed.

“Holland are obvious favourites and Bulgaria and Austria are tough opponents. But if Holland had beaten us home and away that would have been them home and dry.

“So Bulgaria and Austria will be as delighted as us about our win. But we need a few more results like the one last night.”