Rising Liverpool star Ben Doak impressed for Scotland U21s - but ended up on the treatment table on Thursday evening.
The 17-year-old made an appearance for Scot Gemmill's side, who despite taking the lead, went down 2-1 against Iceland in a friendly at Motherwell's Fir Park.
Doak provided the assist for Scotland's opener when he rolled his marker and pulled the ball back for Max Johnston to fire home. But the young Tartan Army were undone after the break thanks to two goals from Kristall Mani Ingason - including one from the penalty spot.
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It was an impressive first-half performance from teenager Doak, who was unlucky not to get onto the shore sheet himself after he was denied three times by Iceland goalkeeper Adam Ingi Benediktsson. The Reds prodigy, who moved to Merseyside from Celtic in the summer, played the full 90 minutes, despite being on the end of a robust challenge in the second half.
Speaking after the match (as per the Scotsman ), under 21s boss Gemmill said: “We're all very confident of the potential Ben has but he still has to go and do it. Credit to him, he did it again. He's disappointed he didn't score and he's on the treatment table after taking a sore one. It's very exciting and there is a lot to look forward to but that 20 minutes of the second half is the real learning point.”
Doak made several bursting runs in the opening 45 minutes causing Scotland's opponents all manner of problems and despite fading in the second half, he was still the hosts primary out ball option.
The international start marks a terrific couple of weeks for Doak, who made his Liverpool first team debut as a substitute against Derby County at Anfield before signing his first professional contract a few days later after turning 17. He was also named on the bench by Jurgen Klopp for the Reds Premier League victory against Southampton.
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