Patience Pays Off For Under 21s

Last updated : 07 October 2011 By Ed_ScottishFitba

Billy StarkBilly Stark was full of praise for his Under 21 charges after they ran out 5-1 winners over a stubborn Luxembourg team last night. Scotland struggled in the opening quarter to turn their possession into chances. However, their patience was rewarded when Alex MacDonald's long-range strike shot just before the half-hour found the net which opened the floodgates in the UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifier. Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes scored a hat-trick in the space of 30 minutes on wither side of the interval and Paul Hanlon headed a late fifth soon after the hosts had claimed a late consolation.
 
Stark, whose side drew with Bulgaria in their opening qualifier at St Mirren Park, said: "We had to be patient. It was very sticky, because Luxembourg made it difficult and covered the areas. We had to make gaps to get the chance to break through. We had to be vigilant and concentrate. We made some good passes and kept things moving. After the two goals the game changed completely for us."
 
Scotland now travel home to St Mirren Park to welcome Austria, who they pipped to a play-off place in their previous campaign, on Monday.