Disappointment for Hibs ace Ryan Porteous as Scotland U21s fail in crucial Euro qualifier

Scotland Under-21s didn’t get the win in Greece they required to reach next year's European Championships.
Ryan Porteous was part of a disappointing Scotland performance as the 21s failed in Euro qualification. Picture: SNSRyan Porteous was part of a disappointing Scotland performance as the 21s failed in Euro qualification. Picture: SNS
Ryan Porteous was part of a disappointing Scotland performance as the 21s failed in Euro qualification. Picture: SNS

Hibs ace Ryan Porteous played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 defeat in Athens with Scot Gemmill’s team needing a win to qualify for the tournament to be held in Slovenia and Hungary.

Three points would have seen Scotland top their group with a better head-to-head record with Czech Republic. However, the loss coupled with Croatia’s 7-0 win over Lithuania means the 21s finish third.

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The country’s wait to return to an Under-21s European Championships continues with no team representing Scotland at the tournament since 1996.

Scotland started positively, creating a couple of early openings before falling behind in the 27th minute.

It’s a goal Porteous or his team-mates will want to see again with the defence all over the place.

When the ball hits the net few Scotland players are in a position you would expect them to be in with the Hibs centre-back in a situation you would expect the left-back to be in. The 21-year-old was caught on his heels as Efthymios Christopoulos nipped in front to net past Ross Doohan.

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Scotland struggled to rally. A couple of opportunities were crafted in the second half but not enough to really test the Greek goalkeeper.

Porteous, who has represented the 21s since making his debut in May 2018, will now look at Steve Clarke’s squad for Euro 2020 as a target having been called up on a couple of occasions now although he is still waiting for his first senior cap.