Kieron Bowie rescued Scotland Under-21s with a late winner against Malta to preserve their qualification hopes for Euro 2025.
Scotland impressed in the 3-1 win over Hungary on Friday night but they laboured against a stubborn Malta side at Fir Park. The impressive Alex Lowry opened the scoring for Scotland with a penalty on 32 minutes but Andrea Zammit levelled from the spot before Bowie provided the winner with less than ten minutes to play.
It was, ultimately, job done for Scotland but they still face an uphill task to qualify in a group with Belgium and Spain. Scot Gemmill was relieved that his youngsters found a way to win but he admits there were too many mistakes, that will be punished by better opposition.
“I was very concerned before the game because such a young team you know in these situations you have to take your chances and keep a clean sheet," Gemmill said. "We made hard work and couldn't get to the same level as Friday. We did make really hard work of it but they found a way to win so credit to them for that.
“They know themselves and a lot aren’t happy with the way they played but they found a way to win and that’s a big part of their experience and development. They allowed a team to get a penalty and they’re they’re up and we go down. For them to experience that, when people come here expecting us to win, it’s brilliant to feel that and find a way to win but it wasn’t enjoyable.
“I don’t think there was complacency. To play at a really high level you can’t make errors and there were too many errors. We speak about development and players but live in a game we want to win of course you feel relief."
Scotland made a quick-fire start, scoring twice against Hungary in seven minutes on Friday but it was the polar opposite against Malta.
Talisman Ben Doak was absent after the Liverpool starlet sustained a slight thigh knock against Hungary with Lowry deputising. The Rangers starlet has impressed on-loan at Hearts in recent weeks and he created Scotalnd’s first chance with a perfectly weighted pass to Josh Mulligan but the Dundee midfielder’s effort was comfortably saved.
Lowry was Scotland’s creative protagonist during an uneventful opening 20 minutes and he fired a curling effort narrowly over the bar after creating space with a clever feint.
Lowry continued to provide some classy moments throughout the first half as he showcased his unquestionable ability. The 20-year-old glided past several defenders on 24 minutes before his quick feet opened space for a shot but it was blocked to deny a stunning individual goal.
Scotland struggled to break down the visitor’s defence until they were awarded a soft penalty. Matthew Anderson went down under pressure from Matthew Ellul and referee Marcel Birson didn’t hesitate to point to the spot with Lowry was calmness personified in finding the bottom corner.
Mulligan spurned several good opportunities in the first half and he passed up another just after the restart. The impressive Lowry weaved past two defenders to cut the ball back but Sacco pulled off a good save to deny the Dundee man.
Scotland looked fairly comfortable with their lead until they conceded a penalty on 53 minutes. Celtic kid Anderson won the spot kick in the first half but he was penalised by ref Birsan for a slight trip on Veselji and captain Andrea Zammit equalised.
Malta failed to pick up a point in their opening three Group B games but they almost went ahead just minutes later when Nikolai Micallef smashed a speculative effort.
Scotland should’ve retaken the lead on 67 minutes from a corner but Liam Morrison couldn’t sort his feet out quick enough and his effort was comfortably cleared off the line.
Gemmill introduced strikers Michael Mellon and Rory Wilson in search of a winner but it was Bowie who popped up with his third goal of the international break on 82 minutes.
Mulligan deserves immense credit for providing it after he burst into the box and smashed the ball across goal for the Northampton Town loaned to drill an effort into the bottom corner from an acute angle.
Malta were resilient all evening and they gave Scotland a late scare when Veslji’s header clipped the top of the bar but the hosts survived to pick up three points as Gemmill praised matchwinner Bowie.
"I’m delighted for him,” he added. “He’s become a father in the last few months and you can see him maturing. I speak to Colin Calderwood a lot at Northampton - he’s part of the staff there - and Kieron has responded. He’s moved up a league after promotion last year and it’s fantastic he’s playing and pushing again and he’s not settling for where he was.”
