Scotland Under-21s Thrash Ukraine 4-0 in Spain, With James Wilson Scoring Twice

Scotland Under-21s beat Ukraine Under-21s 4-0 in a friendly, with James Wilson scoring twice at the Pinatar Arena in Spain.

The young Scots took the lead after 23 minutes through Lennon Miller. Wilson made it 2-0 just before half-time, rising to head home a free-kick from Tyler Fletcher. Early in the second half, Miller turned provider, setting up Wilson for his second goal 13 minutes after the restart.

Alfie Stewart added the fourth with 20 minutes left. He is an Aberdeen midfielder currently on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the club in the Highlands, and it was a goal that settled the match well before the final whistle.

Wilson and Miller both dropped down from Scotland's senior squad, the full national team, to play for the Under-21s. Friendlies like this one are a chance for younger players to test themselves against top-level opponents away from the pressure of competitive tournaments. Both players made the most of their chance.

Tony Docherty is in charge of the Under-21 side. The Scottish FA, the body that runs the country's football, marked the win with a match report on its website, headlined in the playful way that often sums up a comfortable afternoon.

The result is not a trophy, and friendlies rarely change a season. But a 4-0 win away from home gives a young squad something to take into the weeks ahead. For the players, a goal against another country's Under-21s is a line on the CV that will still be there in years to come.

Scotland face the United States in the same stadium on Sunday afternoon. Docherty will be hoping his side can keep the momentum going, and that the goals keep coming from more than one place.