Scotland's second-string put on strong show

Scotland’s second-string players staked their claims for places in the main international set-up with a comfortable victory over a Northern Ireland B team at a rain-sodden Broadwood.

Goals from Andy Webster, George Boyd and Leigh Griffiths sealed an impressive 3-0 win for the men in the B team, looking to prove themselves to George Burley ahead of future squad announcements.

Scotland thought they had taken the lead with less than two minutes on the clock when Steven Hammell’s free kick from the right flank appeared to have swung directly into the bottom corner of Jonathan Tuffey’s goal before being scooped away.

The linesman said no, and from the resulting rebound David Clarkson’s cross from the left was missed by Naismith.

The early chance looked to indicate an attacking approach for George Burley’s men, but it took another 15 minutes for them to muster another attempt at goal.

Naismith showed clever footwork to make space for himself just outside the box, but his scything low effort was comfortable for Tuffey.

With 19 minutes on the clock the visitors managed to exhibit their attacking prowess for the first time, but Josh McQuoid’s vicious effort from just inside the box was lashed agonisingly over the bar.

The home side threatened once again after 25 minutes when Chris Burke’s pace left Celtic ‘s Daniel Lafferty stranded on the right wing to cut inside the box.

The Cardiff star attempted to beat Tuffey from the tightest of angles but the keeper managed to claw it away.

With half time fast approaching neither side had really showed that vital touch in front of goal, a truth exhibited when David Clarkson narrowly failed to convert an inch perfect Stephen Hughes cross after 38 minutes.

As the half-time whistle sounded the heavens opened over Cumbernauld, and any hopes of an improvement in playing quality were quickly eradicated.

Aside from the odd clever touch displayed from the Scotland wingers, namely Burke on the right and the highly rated Peterborough protégé George Boyd on the opposite flank, neither side had done much to evoke confidence in their respective managers.

With the start of the second half came three fresh faces for the Scots, and the switch proved effective almost instantly when they broke the deadlock just two minutes after the restart.

Ian Black swung a dangerous cross onto the head of fellow substitute Jack Ross, whose effort was blocked by Tuffey.

Forgotten Rangers man Webster was on hand to sweep the ball home from the rebound and hand his side the lead their efforts had merited.

The swamp-like condition of the pitch didn’t exactly lend itself to a free flowing style of play, but Northern Ireland almost managed to claw themselves back into the match with 55 minutes on the clock.

The ball broke to Rangers starlet Andrew Little inside the six-yard box, but David Marshall spread himself well to turn it round the post.

It was the Norwich keeper’s first real test of the evening, but he was called into action once again after 70 minutes to make a stunning stop from Oliver Norwood’s free-kick.

The Manchester United man’s 25-yard effort was sailing straight into the top corner, but Marshall was at full stretch to tip it over for a corner.

Scotland’s fifth substitute entered the fray in the shape of Leigh Griffiths with 15 minutes remaining, and with his first touch he proved the architect for Scotland’s second goal.

The Livingston youngster played a pinpoint cross-field pass for Boyd to the left of the box, who in turn rifled home a sensational daisy cutter into the far corner.

With five minutes remaining Boyd returned the favour, threading a superb long ball through to the advancing Griffiths, who powered his effort beyond substitute keeper Trevor Carson to make it 3-0 and set the seal on a fine result for George Burley’s reserves.