Highlights - Scotland 3-0 Faroe Islands

By David McDaid

Manager Craig Levein gave debuts to seven players as Scotland beat the Faroe Islands at Pittodrie Stadium.

Liverpool defender Danny Wilson opened the scoring from six yards 24 minutes into his first senior international.

Kris Commons doubled the Scots' lead on 31 minutes, flicking Charlie Adam's low cross into the goal from close range.

The scoring was complete by half-time when Jamie Mackie prodded home on the line, but Scotland continued to dominate until the final whistle.

The friendly win marks the third victory from seven games under the stewardship of Levein, with the others coming against Czech Republic and Liechtenstein.

After the double-header defeat in October by Czech Republic and Spain this match was viewed as a chance to regain some confidence, as well as blood some new talent.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your view on Scotland's win over the Faroe Islands

Wilson and Barry Bannan of Aston Villa were the two debutants in the starting line-up, although in the second half James McArthur, Cammy Bell, Craig Bryson, Stephen Saunders and David Goodwillie all got their first full international caps.

There were few efforts from either side in a stop-start opening, but the visitors almost took the lead on eight minutes when Jann Ingi Petersen crashed a free-kick against Craig Gordon's crossbar form 35 yards.

Perhaps that was the wake-up call Scotland needed because they went up the field and Shaun Maloney found Commons at the back post with an excellent cross.

But the Derby man could neither pick out a team mate nor get his header on target, and the ball went past the opposite upright.

Scotland managed to build up some good possession play, but they were finding themselves trying to penetrate a stuffy defence who had 10 men behind the ball.

But, the breakthrough did come on 24 minutes as Wilson scored on his full international debut.

Captain Darren Fletcher forced a corner with a good shot saved by the Faroese goalkeeper Gunnar Nielsen.

And from Adam's delivery the 18-year-old defender beat his opponent in the six-yard box to poke the ball in with his right boot.

Adam then made the second goal just after the half-hour mark, crossing low for Commons who flicked the ball into the net from close range.

Moments later Bannan then drove forward from midfield to crack a low left-footed shot off the post from 25 yards as the Scots continued to assert themselves.

However, seconds before the referee could blow the half-time whistle, Scotland added a third when QPR striker Mackie poked the ball in from just a yard after Steven Caldwell had headed down Bannan's deep cross.

Scotland picked up where they left off after the break, immediately putting the Faroese under pressure, and Stephen Crainey forced an excellent save from Nielsen with a rasping 25-yard strike.

Bannan, who was making a very assured senior debut, missed out on a goal of his own when he unable to head Commons' cross past Nielsen, then Maloney missed a gilt-edged opportunity after a Faroese defender gifted him possession with a slack pass-back.

But with the result already beyond doubt, Levein saw the chance to ring the changes and give some fringe players the chance to impress.

Scotland: Gordon (Bell 68), Bardsley (Saunders 71), Caldwell, Wilson (Kenneth 60), Crainey, Commons (David Goodwillie 76), Bannan, Fletcher (Bryson 68), Adam (McArthur 55), Maloney, Mackie.
Subs Not Used: Robson, Caddis, Davidson, Kyle.

Goals: Wilson 24, Commons 31, Mackie 45.

Faroe Islands: Nielsen, Naes, Davidsen, Gregersen, Jacobsen, Udsen (Juspinusen 86), Petersen (Mouritsen 60), Lokin, Elttor, Holst (Poulsen 56), Edmundsson.
Subs Not Used: Thomsen, Frederiksberg, Baldvinsson, Levi Hansen.

Att: 25,064

Ref: Paul van Boekel (Geboren)

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