Hearts' John Souttar captains Scotland Under-21s in heavy defeat

Hearts defender John Souttar captained Scotland Under-21s as they fell to a 4-0 defeat in a friendly international against Slovakia in Myjava.

John Souttar led the young Scots in Myjava

Tynecastle team-mate Liam Smith lined up at full-back as new coach Scot Gemmill suffered a third defeat in three games.

The hosts opened the scoring after just eight minutes through Albert Rusnak.

Nottingham Forest’s Alex Iacovitti – currently on loan at Mansfield Town – scored an own goal 12 minutes after half-time to double Slovakia’s advantage before Branislav Ninaj netted the third on 78 minutes.

With seven minutes remaining, Filip Balaj rounded off victory for Slovakia, who will feature at next year’s European Under-21 Championship in Poland. Hamilton’s Eamonn Brophy won his first Under-21 cap for the Scots while substitutes Alan Forrest, of Ayr United, and Morton’s Jai Quitongo also made their debuts.

Scotland: Fulton, Smith, Cameron, Iacovitti, Souttar, Jules, Henderson, Jones, Docherty, Cadden, Brophy.