Scotland defeated in Turkey in final international game of 2022

Scotland have lost 2-1 in their final match of 2022 despite a spirited second half display in Turkey.

Ozan Kabak and Cengiz Under scored either side of half-time before John McGinn pulled one back to add his growing international goal collection.

Steve Clarke named a strong starting line-up for the game in Diyarbakir with Andy Robertson captaining a side that also included fellow EPL stars Kieran Tierney, John McGinn and Scott McTominay.

Stuart Armstrong, Billy Gilmour and Ryan Fraser also started for Scotland with Lyndon Dykes leading the line upfront.

Liverpool’s Calvin Ramsey made his international debut as a second-half sub with Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson also making a late appearance for his fifth.

There was a couple of early testers for Craig Gordon in goals as the home side flew out of the traps Infront of a vociferous crowd in the Kurdish stronghold.

Inter Milan star Hakan Çalhanoğlu was pulling the strings early on and Cenk Tosun should have scored with in the first 10 minutes, but he blasted his shot wide.

The Besiktas forward was spared the embarrassment of missing the close-range effort when the assistant referee waved for offside.

Turkey continued to put pressure on the Scotland defence, and they were denied the opening the goal buy the woodwork when Ozan Kobak hit the bar with a header.

But it was second time lucky for the Hoffenheim defender as he put the hosts 1-0 up just before half-time.

Cendiz Under doubled the lead four minutes into the second half as Turkey continued to dominate.

Just as it looked like Scotland were in danger of a heavy defeat talisman John McGinn popped up with a spectacular effort to pull one back for Steve Clarke’s men and make it 2-1 on the hour mark.

The goal means the Aston Villa captain moves up to joint-seventh in the all-time scoring charts for the national team.

Scotland now had the bit between their teeth and Jack Hendry came close to an equaliser with 20 minutes left on the clock.

Gordon was up for a corner as they chased a late goal in injury time but it ended Turkey 2-1 Scotland.