Scotland suffer defeat to Iceland in Hampden friendly

Scotland have suffered defeat to Iceland in a disappointing night at Hampden.

The visitors ran out 3-1 winners in Glasgow on Friday, in what was the national team’s first game since the Nations League play-off against Greece in March.

Andri Guðjohnsen opened the scoring after just nine minutes with an unstoppable strike that flew into the top corner.

Rangers defender John Souttar headed home the equaliser midway through the first half when he turned a corner from Max Johnston into the net.

Iceland had the lead again just before the break, thanks to an own-goal by Lewis Ferguson, and Victor Palsson made it three at the start of the second 45.

One positive from the night was seeing a host of young players given the opportunity to impress at international level.

Max Johnston and George Hirst were handed their first starts, and were two of Scotland’s better players, with teenage Motherwell star Lennon Miller and Ipswich youngster Cieran Slicker both earning their first caps from the bench.

But other than that, it was a night to forget for the Tartan Army, particularly the 30,000 in attendance.

Steve Clarke was forced into making the first change of the match when Angus Gunn limped off after just seven minutes following a collision and awkward landing.

Slicker was his replacement, and he had to pick the ball out of the net just moments later following Guðjohnsen’s strike that made it 1-0.

The Gent forward is the son of former Chelsea and Barcelona star Eidur Guðjohnsen, who played 88 times for Iceland during his prestigious career.

Scotland’s goal also came from the son of a former international star, this time an assist, from Johnston, whose dad Allan won 18 caps between 1998 and 2002.

The Sturm Graz right back, making his first start for the national team, provided the corner from which Souttar scored from to make it 1-1.

Bologna captain Ferguson then turned the ball into his own net in first-half injury-time to put the visitors 2-1 up at the break.

The second half was just five minutes old when Palsson headed past Slicker to extend Iceland’s lead.

George Hirst thought he had thrown Scotland a lifeline when he had the ball in the net on the hour mark, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

SPFL Young Player of the Year Lennon Miller won his first cap when he was introduced into the action with 25 minutes left to play.

Overall, it was very much a night to forget for Clarke and his players at the end of what has been a long season for many of them.

But they will have to pick themselves up again for the game against Liechtenstein on Monday before they can enjoy a summer break.