Scotland Under-21s prepare for Iceland challenge in friendly matchFriendly MatchScotland v IcelandFir Park, MotherwellThursday, 17 November, 7pm Scotland Under-21s return to action on Thursday night, with free admission for all supporters at Fir Park. The match is the latest preparation match for Scot Gemmill's side ahead of the next European Championship qualification campaign which starts in 2023. When Scotland last hosted Iceland in 2015 at Under-21 level, current full internationals Ryan Christie, Stephen Kingsley and John McGinn were all in the starting eleven, while Lawrence Shankland came off the bench in the second half. We have seen a more recent example of the pathway from the Under-21s into the senior squad this week, as right-back Calvin Ramsay joined up with the Men's A team for their trip to Turkey after originally being named in the Under-21 squad. Team News The squad is boosted by the returns of Connor Barron and Alex Lowry who both missed the September camp through injury, while Liam Morrison has received his first call up after also recovering from his injury problems.

I was involved with the Under-16s and then I was involved with the Under-19s just at the start of the year and this is my first time with the Under-21s. It was a bit of a surprise to get the call. "To make my Under-21s debut at home at Fir Park would be brilliant so fingers crossed. “It’s definitely a level above, going away with the national team. Even last year when I was away with the Under-19s it was a really fast standard in training. "Obviously I saw the original squad and I wasn’t in it so I just kept focusing on my football at Cove and I was lucky enough to get the call. "Cove has been a really good loan so far.

However, there have been some late changes this week, with Josh Doig forced to withdraw from the squad through injury, along with Leon King who was forced to leave the field playing for Rangers against St Mirren at the weekend. There have been further withdrawals prior to the camp in Elliot Anderson, Kieron Bowie, Cole McKinnon, Stuart McKinstry and Josh Reid, with Robbie Fraser, Max Johnston and Thomas Dickson-Peters coming into the squad for their first call-ups in their place.

Newcastle United's Jude Smith and Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney also join up with the squad for the first time and they will be hoping to make their debuts on Thursday night. Pre match thoughts Having come through the Motherwell youth academy, Max Johnston admits it would be a dream to make his Under-21 debut at Fir Park on Thursday as he reflected on his first call-up to the Scotland Under-21 squad. He said: "I was delighted to be fair when I first got the phone call, I was buzzing.

I’m really lucky to have been playing most of the games so I’m really enjoying it. It’s a change from academy football and I think I need that. "It’s a tough league as well, anyone can beat anyone and playing against men as well you need to toughen up a bit. I’m really lucky to be playing every week and the gaffer’s been really good with me and I’ve managed to keep my spot in the team. " You can read more thoughts from Max in Thursday's matchday programme. How to watch The match will be broadcast live on the BBC Sport website and coverage will also be available on the iPlayer, while the match at Fir Park is free entry with no tickets needed.