4 things we learned from Scotland’s international friendly draw with Holland

Scotland kicked off their Euro 2020 warm-up by drawing 2-2 with Holland in the Algarve.

Memphis Depay struck twice for Frank De Boer’s team after Jack Hendry and Kevin Nisbet fired the Scots in front.

Here PA takes a look at what we learned from the match.

Late lapse but signs of encouragement

Steve Clarke will be frustrated with the two goals his side allowed Depay to net as Holland rescued the draw. The Lyon ace’s late set-piece equaliser will sting especially given the harsh nature of the foul given against Hendry but there is also plenty to be encouraged about after Scotland more than matched up to a side packed with world-class talent. If Clarke can find a way to cut out those lapses in concentration then Tartan Army will might just find themselves on a thrill ride to the knockout stages.

Covid chaos

The last thing Clarke needs as he prepares for Scotland’s first major tournament in 23 years is a coronavirus outbreak, so the news that John Fleck had returned a positive test on the eve of Wednesday’s clash with the Oranje will have left the Scotland coach breaking out in a cold sweat. The SFA insist it was with “ultra caution” that they left David Marshall, Stephen O’Donnell, Nathan Patterson, Grant Hanley, John McGinn and Che Adams out of the squad to face the Dutch having been in the same general vicinity as the Sheffield United ace at their Spanish training base. Clarke will now be praying that safety-first approach averts any more Covid scares before his team’s Euros opener with the Czech Republic on June 14.

Nisbet stays good to his word

Hibernian ace Kevin Nisbet insisted earlier this week he would score if given the chance and he backed those words up within two minutes of being introduced. The former Partick Thistle and Dunfermline striker is expected to provide back-up to Adams and Lyndon Dykes but he will hope his sudden impact will fire him up Clarke’s pecking order.

Tough introduction for Turnbull

The Celtic ace’s first Scotland appearance was a lesson in the concentration levels required at international level. The 21-year-old switched off for one brief moment and paid a heavy price as Depay swept home Holland’s first equaliser. To be fair to Turnbull, he settled down after that mistake and almost doubled Scotland’s lead as his curling strike licked the bar on its way over.