**Scotland v Iceland**
**International Friendly**
**Friday, 6 June 2025**
**Hampden Park, Glasgow**
**Scorers**
Scotland 1 (John Souttar 25’)
Iceland 3 (Andri Gudjohnsen 8’, Lewis Ferguson OG 45’, Victor Palsson 52’)
**Team News**
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Steve Clarke made five changes to the side that began March’s Nations League Playoff defeat to Greece. Craig Gordon, Anthony Ralston, Kenny McLean, Ryan Christie and Che Adams were replaced in the starting lineup by Angus Gunn, Max Johnston, Kieran Tierney, Lewis Ferguson and George Hirst.
George Hirst and Max Johnston made their first starts for Scotland whilst Kieren Tierney won his 50th cap. There were places on the bench for seven uncapped players: Kieron Bowie, Josh Doig, Connor Barron, Andy Irving, Lennon Miller, Robby McCrorie and Cieran Slicker.
**As It Happened**
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Iceland got proceedings underway following a well observed moments applause for former Scottish FA President Jack McGinn. Scotland were forced into an early change in the 6th minute when goalkeeper Angus Gunn was substituted due to injury, with Cieran Slicker coming on to make his Scotland debut in his place.
Moments after coming on, Slicker was forced to pick the ball out of his net when Andri Gudjohnsen fired a left footed shot off the underside of the bar into the net, giving Iceland the lead on 8 minutes.
Scotland weathered the storm early on, having to defend desperately at times. George Hirst was presented with a great chance to score his first Scotland goal when John McGinn pounced on a mistake from the Iceland defence before clipping the ball to the back post and, with the goal gaping, Hirst failed to direct his header on target.
Hirst was in amongst the action once more minutes later when following a driving run, McTominay picked out the Ipswich Town striker who swivelled well to strike for goal on his left foot, forcing a great save from goalkeeper Elias Olafsson.
From the resultant corner in the 25th minute, Scotland equalised. Max Johnston’s in-swinging cross was met by the head of John Souttar who guided the ball into the bottom left corner past Olafsson, giving Johnston an assist on his first start.
After starting poorly, Scotland took control of the match after claiming the equaliser. The returning Kieran Tierney was released down the left side, doing well to keep the ball and pick out Johnston at the back post, though the Sturm Graz defender failed to connect with the shot, sending the ball behind for a goal kick.
Despite controlling most of the first half Scotland fell behind right on the stroke on half time. From Albert Gudmundsson’s corner kick, the ball deflected off multiple Scotland players before Lewis Ferguson’s final touch turned the ball into his own net, giving the visitors the lead once more.
Iceland began the second half strongly and added a third on 51 minutes. Gudmundsson’s free kick was met by the head of Victor Palsson whose effort should have been a comfortable save for Slicker, though the ball squirmed through his gloves and into the back of the net.
Scotland almost responded perfectly through George Hirst, whose header was saved brilliantly down to his left by Olafsson. Moments later and Hirst had the ball in the back of the net on 61 minutes. Scott McTominay drove at the visitors’ defence before forcing a great save from Olafsson. The rebound fell to Hirst who tapped home into an empty net, before VAR intervened to disallow the goal for offside.
Scotland continued to press forwards, with John McGinn coming closest to reducing the deficit on 86 minutes as he looked to chip Olafsson, though the goalkeeper reacted well to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Despite Scotland’s best attempts to mount a fight back, that proved to be the last action of note as Iceland claimed victory by three goals to one. Ciaran Slicker and Lennon Miller were both handed their Scotland debut which proved some consolation on a frustrating evening at Hampden Park.
**Teams**
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Scotland: Gunn (Slicker 7’), Robertson, McTominay (Conway 80’), Hanley (McKenna 68’), Tierney (Miller 68’), McGinn, Gilmour, Hirst (Adams 68’), Souttar, Ferguson, Johnston (Patterson 80’)
Unused Substitutes: McCrorie, Ralston, Hendry, Irving, Wilson, Barron, Doig, Bowie
Iceland: Olafsson, Palsson (Thorhallsson 60’), Ingason (Gunnarsson 77’), Johannesson (Traustason 72’), Haraldsson, Gudmundsson, Thorsteinsson (Willumsson 72’), Thordarson (Anderson 72’), Gudjohnsen, Magnusson (Gretarsson 46’), Ellertsson
Unused Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Einarsson, Tomasson, Magnusson, Helgason, Hlynsson