SCOTLAND ‘B’ 2 – DUNDEE UNITED 0

Both the new Scotland Boss Berti Vogts and United Team Manager Alex Smith agreed last night that the idea of playing a Scotland Select versus a youthful Tangerine team was a useful exercise. Not only did it give Vogts the opportunity to look at more Scottish-born talent in his “B” team selection, including United players Lauchlan and Combe, it also afforded young United hopefuls the chance to bring themselves into his boarding list for the forthcoming trip to the Far East. United started the stronger team and, save for a denied penalty claim in 5 minutes, might have taken an early lead. United continued to push ahead and McConalogue’s sublime attempt on target soon thereafter only marginally went wide. It was however to be Paul Dalglish, whilst appearing to be offside, who opened scoring with a volley over the head of United goalie Paul Gallacher. Notwithstanding that, United remained dominant with Duff opening up many chances and coming close to scoring himself. Danny Griffin had a free-kick that was confidently deflected by Dundee’s Lee Wilkie. Having made seven substitutions at half time, the reshuffled Scotland ‘B’ outfit proved a stronger side in the second period. It was 13 minutes after the interval that Dobie (West Bromwich Albion) headed a superb cross into the net for the second goal for Vogts’s reserves. Summary: A useful test for the Scotland Select whose performance Vogts is set to mull over as well as possibly the inspired performance of Miller and other Tangerines on the night. Scotland B: Alan Combe, Scott Murray (Bristol City), Steven Caldwell (Newcastle Utd) Lee Wilkie (Dundee), Warren Cummings (Chelsea), Russell Anderson (Aberdeen), Gavin Rae (Dundee), Brian Kerr (Newcastle Utd), Kevin Kyle (Sunderland), Jamie McFadden (Motherwell), Paul Dalglish (Wigan Athletic). Substitutes: James Langfield (Dundee), Kieran McAnespie (Fulham), Scott Severin (Hearts), Graham Alexander (Preston NE), Jim Lauchlan, Scott Dobie (West Bromwich Albion), Andy Liddell (Wigan Athletic). Dundee: Paul Gallacher, Stuart Duff, Hasney Aljofree, Tassos Venetis, Danny Griffin, David McCracken, Craig Easton, Charlie Miller, Stephen McConalogue, David Winters, Jim Paterson. Substitutes: Jim McIntyre, Paul Jarvie, Stephen Carson, Stephen O’Donnell, Danny Ogunmade, Hugh Davidson. © Picture courtesy of James Hensby.