International friendlies: Memphis Depay helps Netherlands eke out victory over experimental Scotland

Memphis Depay’s 40th-minute goal earned the Netherlands a 1-0 win over an experimental Scotland in Aberdeen in a friendly on Thursday. Both teams had failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup and Scotland’s caretaker manager Malky Mackay fielded a youthful team for the game at Pittodrie. [caption id=“attachment_4203161” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Memphis Depay (right) celebrates after scoring Netherlands’ goal against Scotland. AP[/caption] Mackay, who has been told by the Scottish FA that he is not a candidate to replace Gordon Strachan as full-time manager, gave three players their international debuts with midfielders Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor and Rangers Ryan Jack at right back all earning their first caps. Celtic’s 20-year-old defender Kieran Tierney captained the team in his ninth game for his country and the inexperienced side coped well overall. The Dutch, who had been patient in possession, grabbed the lead with a swift counter-attack finished off at the back post by Olympique Lyonnais winger Depay after a low cross from Ryan Babel. Scotland had two decent chances in the latter stages to get an equaliser but substitute Jason Cummings’ shot from a promising position was too weak and Matt Phillips fluffed a header when left unmarked. Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan said before kickoff that Mackay would revert to his performance director role once a new manager had been found.