Are former Premier League Champions Leicester set for League One Football?
Leicester City – the former Premier League Champions sit 23rd in the EFL Championship as a shock relegation looks set for the Foxes. The Foxes’ were once up there winning the Premier League title back in 2016 being one of the greatest underdog stories out there as the Foxes secured Champions League football to the King Power Stadium. Leicester were grouped with Club Brugge, FC Porto and FC Copenhagen which saw Leicester progress with four wins, a goalless draw in Denmark and a 5-0 battering at Porto. They were drawn with Sevilla which they lost the first leg but came back to win in the home leg to continue. Their Champions League spell came to an end at the hands of Atletico Madrid, drawing 1-1 at home but losing out 1-0 in the Spanish capital courtesy of a Griezmann first half goal. They would go on and return to the European stage in 2021 being grouped in the Europa League with Spartak Moscow, Leiga Warsaw and Napoli which saw the Foxes demoted to the Conference League where they’d meet Randers winning 7-2 on aggregate. They then went on to face Rennes which they edged out 3-2 winners on aggregate which landed them a tie with PSV Eindhoven which again saw them progress. It all came to an end in the following tie as AS Roma scraped past Leicester to knock out the Premier League side. It all came to a crashing end in 2023 as the Foxes saw their nine year spell in Europe’s top league come to an end as Leicester were relegated to the Championship following a rather disappointing season in the Premier League. This year has been very poor by the Foxes’ as they sit second bottom, just ahead of Sheffield Wednesday who sit on -3 points following a season full of point deductions and off the pitch chaos but for Leicester, a team who you’d expect to be in with a chance of the title look like they’re set for League One football. Leicester who sit 23rd have only won 11 times this season, most recently a 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth yesterday as relegation fears stepped up a level as they sit eight points from safety with a defeat to Hull on Tuesday meaning they will be playing in England’s third division next season. The defeat at Portsmouth didn’t go down well at all with the fans which saw heated conflict between fans at full-time and Oliver Skipp seen shouting abuse towards the fellow supporters as well as supporters at full-time chanting “you’re not fit to wear the shirt” as a shock relegation looks to be on the cards. It’s safe to say, it’s a sad sight in England as one of the regular Premier League sides are being set for a relegation to League One following many years of success.
Ross County 2-1 Ayr United: Ross County edge past Ayr United to keep survival hopes alive
Goals by Duncan and Iacovitti seals a massive victory in the relegation battle as the Staggies survival hopes strengthen. Ayr were quickly in the attacking phase as a strike by Dempsey was deflected off a County defender which rattled the post to deny Ayr an early lead. Ross County fired ahead after 3 minutes, Ryan Duncan who smashed it following a deflection into the bottom right hand corner following a corner as relegation worried County took a vital advantage. A scrappy opening half hour with just the one goal, apart from that there hasn’t been many clear-cut chances as County still lead. Ayr were nearly level, a scrappy moment in the box which was regained which landed to Liam Dick with his effort heading wide of goal which went out for a corner which was whipped in as Kevin Holt headed one off the bar to deny the equaliser. It looked almost certain a second was coming as a free kick into the box and Iacovitti headed the ball into Wright with his effort somehow smashing wide of target. Ayr were level after 40 minutes after a ball was crossed into the back post where Anton Dowds struck it in to damper County’s relegation hopes. Into the second period, Ross county nearly restored their lead as a ball into the box found Randall but his tame effort was caught safely. A dull second half as neither said have came close to creating any clear cut chances as both sides try and push to go ahead with the Staggies battling to keep their Championship status alive. Ross County restored their lead after 69 minutes as Duncan worked his way onto the edge of the box, crossed the ball in and Iacovitti headed one home to keep their Championship dreams for next season alive. Jamie Lindsay had a chance in the dying stages from distance but fired his effort a bit too high of target as they look to seal the victory in a fascinating relegation battle. A massive win in the relegation fight for the hosts although they still remain bottom with Aidrie drawing with Partick Thistle. A massive game for County next week with Morton if they are to avoid the drop. Ross County: Carson (6), Wright (6), Gallagher (6), Iacovitti (7), Randall (6), Docherty (6), Chilvers (7), Duncan (8), O’Sullivan (6), Carbon (6), Phillips (6). Substitutes: Foster (6), Smith (7), White (6), Lindsay (6). Ayr United: Mitchell (5), Dick (6), King (5), Holt (6), McMann (6), Dempsey (6), Bannigan (6), Rus (7), Summers (6), Murphy (6), Dowds (7). Substitutes: Watret (5), McRoberts (5), Hislop (5).
Martin Boyle on Aberdeen’s radar with the forward set to depart Hibs
Aberdeen born, Martin Boyle could be on his way to Pittodrie as his spell in Leith is set to come to an end. Aberdeen appear to be keen on the Hibs attacker who is set to depart as Stephen Robinson looks ahead to his first window as Aberdeen boss. Boyle confirmed he will be departing the Easter Road side with Aberdeen hoping to capture the Australian International for next season after many failed attempts in previous years to take in Boyle. Aberdeen have begun to shortlist potential signings but won’t go any further until they confirm they will be playing premiership football next campaign. Boyle has had many other options to consider with clubs from England also showing interest as well as many other teams from both Australia and Asia but a potential move back to where he grew up could be on the cards as Robinson looks to opt for experience. Martin Boyle has had a couple spells with Scottish clubs starting with Montrose which saw him join Dundee after some impressive form at Links Park. Boyle made 65 appearances with the Dens Park outfit, netting 5 goals where he went on to join Hibs, spending 12 years in Edinburgh being a star player for the Leith side which also included a short spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Faisaly in 2021. Aberdeen are also set to loose many other players with Liam Morrison set to return to QPR, Geiger set to return to Hoffenheim, Cameron set to go back to Rangers after all their loan spells as well as their captain Shinnie who is out-of-contract come end of the season with Findlay Marshall who has impressed highly on-loan at Arbroath signing a new deal keeping him at Pittodrie until 2028. Elvis Bwomono is also set to depart with his short-term deal coming to an end as well as Tom McIntrye with Toyosi Olusanya returning to Houston following his loan spell.
Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham: De Zerbi begins on wrong foot with a defeat to Sunderland
Tottenham make it 14 games without a win as relegation fears strengthen as a second half strike by Mukiele ensures three-points for Sunderland. Tottenham come in as they fear of relegation with 13 games without a win after dropping into relegation on Friday night as West Ham defeated Wolves to leap-frog Spurs’. Sunderland who are pushing for Europe defeated their rivals Newcastle 2-1 last time out look to get yet again. Tottenham are in dire need of victory should they get out of the bottom three. As the game begun, Richarlison had an early small chance, a first time strike from just inside the box which was collected calmly by Roefs in the Sunderland goal. Sunderland moments later took a brilliant corner by Ex-Arsenal man, Xhaka with his corner being tipped over the bar by Kinsky who has been heavily criticized of late. Brobbey had a chance from close range with his header going just over the bar following some very good passing prior to the chance. On the 20 minute mark, Tottenham were awarded a spot kick following a potential foul on Kolo Muani but after a VAR check, the penalty was chopped off which was simply, the correct decision. A free-kick from far out, Xhaka with the ball towards the box but Mukiele missing connection as it goes out for a goal-kick. Xhaka with the best chance so far as a throw by O’Nien which was brilliantly headed away but only as far as the Sunderland captain who smashes the ball goal bound but fires just wide of target. The hosts had a perfect chance to go ahead with a free-kick on the edge of the box as Xhaka blasted a ball well over into the stands. Just before the break, Xhaka whipped a ball into the box where Brobbey met but a brilliant stop by Kinsky denying Sunderland the lead right on the stroke of half-time. Roefs then quickly denied Spurs the opener as Roefs denied Solanke giving Spurs’ the lead which went out for a corner. Going into the second half, Richarlison was running through to try and strike home but some crucial defending by O’Nien prevented a Tottenham opener. Richarlison had another chance just before the hour mark but a weak and tame effort making it a simple safe by Roefs for Sunderland. Sunderland took the lead after the hour mark, Mukiele with a darting run and unleashed a strike from distance which deflected off Van de Veen and found its way into the back of the net to build more pressure onto the London side. Going into the final stages, Sunderland looked more likely to get the next goal but a massive 10 minutes to come in terms of Tottenham’s season as they fight to escape relegation. Rigg had a chance from outside the box after 82 minutes but his effort being well blocked to deny a second. Major claims late into the game as Brobbey felt he was nudged but referee Rob Jones was having none of it with VAR agreeing, no penalty. Moments later, Sunderland had a huge chance for a second but Udogie doing brilliant to clear the ball off the line to deny Sunderland the second and to deny a tap in. Porro wasn’t far off to equalise late on as a powerful strike was tipped over by Roefs to deny Tottenham a way back into the game. Sunderland scraped past struggling Tottenham at the Stadium of Light as Tottenham remain the bottom three as their relegation chances continue as that is now 14 games without a win and a defeat for Ze Zerbi on his debut where things must change if they are to avoid the drop. Next up for Sunderland is a trip to Villa Park next Sunday with Tottenham facing Brighton next Saturday evening with De Zerbi facing his former club as Spurs look to steer away from relegation. Sunderland: Roefs (7), Mukiele (8), Mandava (7), Alderete (7), O’Nien (7), Sadiki (7), Diarra (7), Le Fee (7), Rigg (6), Xhaka (8), Brobbey (7). Substitutes: Talbi (5), Hume (5), Isidor (5). Tottenham: Kinsky (6), Porro (7), Romero (6), Van de Veen (6), Udogie (6), Gray (5), Gallagher (6), Kolo Muani (5), Bergvall (5), Richarlison (6), Solanke (5). Substitutes: Palphina (5), Sarr (5), Tel (5), Danso (5), Simons (5).
Stephen Robinson states Aberdeen are still in the relegation fight despite Hibs victory.
The Aberdeen boss says Aberdeen are still not safe as they defeat Hibernian 2-0 at Pittodrie as they go five ahead of Kilmarnock. Aberdeen picked up their first win since January, defeating Hibs 2-0 in the Granite City which was a massive weight off their shoulders as they edge closer away from relegation. Aberdeen now sit 5-points ahead of 11th placed Kilmarnock with the Dons next fixture being at home to Killie with a win there almost securing their Premiership status next season. Robinson said: “I thought we were excellent throughout, even at 11 vs 11. Some of our play was really good. We didn’t look like we were in a relegation battle. “The situation we’re in comes with a lot of pressure, comes with a lot of criticism, some of it deserved as well and I thought the boys stood up to be counted today. “There were some really, really good performances. We spoke about keeping clean sheets, which the team managed today and that starts from the front. “We said if we deliver balls into the box, Kevin Nisbet scores goals. He’s proved that and I thought he was excellent throughout today. “His work ethic as well was excellent, and it doesn’t make us safe by any stretch of the imagination. But certainly, that’s what I’m seeing in training, and now we’ve been able to put that together on the pitch. “I just felt when they came in Monday morning, there was no excuse mentally. We got them going again.” Robinson agreed it was a much-improved type of performance with it being just their second league win in 2026. Robinson said: “Afeez (Aremu), Stuart (Armstrong) and Lyall (Cameron) thought ran the game. Stuart Armstrong’s a joy to watch at times. He gives us that composure. It doesn’t faze him at all. Afeez as well, now he’s getting fitter and stronger, knowing what we want from him. “I thought Lyall really contributed to that as well. So, to a man, there wasn’t a bad performance. The back three defended really well. We said don’t concede a goal, let’s get a clean sheet. Then you don’t lose the game. And they’ve done that even in the last couple of minutes when they were tired. “And they’ve shown that they have got that fight. I mentioned the fans as well, I thought they were superb, right behind the players. It helps so much when they do that.” “I told them to bottle the feeling because they haven’t won for a long time at home, I think it was the first win in the league since December and clean sheet since December.” Aberdeen will now have an extra weekend off as it’s Scottish Cup weekend as they look to build momentum going into the final bottom-six matches coming up. He added: “We said on Friday it was the best atmosphere we’ve seen for a long, long time, and some of the staff have been here and said it was the best atmosphere they’ve seen in maybe three or four months. “There was a little bit of togetherness, people smiling, people enjoying themselves and actually enjoying being together at the training ground. So sometimes that relates on to the pitch and if we can continue to build on that, there are good players here. We know there’s lots of things that haven’t been good enough this season and we worry about that at the end of the season.” There was some referee controversy as Gyamfi appeared to punch Hibernian striker Owen Elding in the back of the head which was given as a yellow following a VAR check. Robinson also said: “When they come over, you obviously expect the worst, don’t you? But nobody on either bench thought it was a red card. They thought it was a free-kick at best. “But on both benches we’d seen it back and we were amazed he was called over. So thankfully they’ve come to the right decision in the end.” Next up for the Dons is Kilmarnock at home as they look to make the gap eight points between the two sides and steer away from the relegation scrap.
Five Games. One Winner: Post-Split fixtures announced
Heart of Midlothian and Celtic may find themselves battling for the Premiership trophy on the final weekend of the season in Glasgow on Saturday, 16 May, following the release of the post-split fixture list by the SPFL. Once this weekend’s 33rd matches are completed, the Premiership will separate into two groups of six. Rangers remain firmly involved, making it a three-way contest for the title. The final Celtic–Rangers meeting, with the champions hosting, has been scheduled for Sunday, 10 May, three rounds before the end of the campaign. Hearts kick off their post-split run with an away Edinburgh derby against Hibernian on Sunday, 26 April. Derek McInnes’ squad, whose lead over Rangers shrank to a single point last weekend, are set to welcome the Ibrox side on Monday, 4 May. Rangers will conclude their league season with a third trip to Falkirk. Due to a fixture imbalance, stemming from expectations that Falkirk would finish in the bottom six, the club has ended up with one additional home match compared to the rest. In the bottom half of the table, five sides remain in danger of relegation. The last round of bottom-six matches is set for Sunday, 17 May, when Dundee host Aberdeen, Kilmarnock travel to Livingston, and St Mirren face Dundee United at home. After this weekend, the Premiership will pause for a two-week international break before returning on 25 April. On that date, Celtic play Falkirk in the top half, while Aberdeen host Kilmarnock and Livingston head to St Mirren. The following day, Rangers take on Motherwell, and Dundee United meet Dundee in the final city derby of the season. The remaining post-split fixtures will take place over the weekends of 2-3 May and 9-10 May, along with midweek matches on 12-13 May. The top-six schedule wraps up on 16 May, followed by the bottom-six finale on 17 May.
Relegation Battle: Could Aberdeen be in the chance of relegation?
It’s been a poor season for the Dons as relegation is becoming a high chance as the Dons begin to really struggle. Aberdeen who sit 9th, joint 10th with St Mirren and just three points ahead of Kilmarnock seem to be in real danger with near enough no confidence in the Aberdeen squad and St Mirren starting to pick up form with Kilmarnock looking slightly better, this may be Aberdeen’s time over. Most the chats been about the entertaining title race going on at the top, but one of Scotland’s biggest teams may be set to be within the chance of Championship football next season. As of late, it’s been nothing but a disappointment in the Granite City with just one league win in 2026 which came against bottom of the league, Livingston after a 6-2 victory. The Dons have only won once in their last 10 – a 2-0 win in the Scottish Cup over Motherwell but were later denied a spot at Hampden against Dunfermline. To dive deeper into some stats, in the last 48 points which were available to Aberdeen, the Dons only picked up six. As well as that, Aberdeen have only scored once on the road this year with their last away win being at the start of December. Livingston who have only won once all season, have picked up more points (7) than Aberdeen (5) in their last 15 matches. Aberdeen’s last win against one of the top-six sides was all the way back in November – a 1-0 win over league leaders Hearts. The Pittodrie side also haven’t won a game in the last eight attempts and have conceded in all of their last six as Aberdeen enter the final hurdle this season. So Aberdeen haven’t had the manager bounce they had hoped for under Stephen Robinson in which Robinson has only picked up one point so far in charge which came against Falkirk. Next up for the Dons is a home match against Hibernian which will be nothing but a tough test to come. For other sides within the relegation spots, St Mirren travel to Celtic and Kilmarnock host Dundee at Rugby Park. Can Aberdeen avoid any relegation fears or will they grab that 11th spot with Livingston looking likely to grab that bottom spot?
“He wasn’t going to contribute to us staying up” – Robinson on Nilsen’s departure
Aberdeen boss Stephen Robinson said “He wasn’t [Nilsen] going to contribute to us staying up” in a recent interview as the Dons aim to fight off relegation. Stephen Robinson came out to say if Sivert Heltne Nilsen was to stay at Pittodrie, the Norwegian wouldn’t have been able to contribute to staying up which has gained some disappointment by the Aberdeen support with Robinson also claiming it would be “unfair” to let Nilsen depart. Nilsen departed the Dons a couple of weeks ago to return to Norway during a time which has been really difficult for Aberdeen as the midfielder left for FK Haugesund. The 34-year-old made 56 appearances in Red, scoring just two goals for the Pittodrie side. Many Aberdeen fans have shown disappointment due to the timing of the departure as Nilsen left during a very fragile moment as Aberdeen continue to try and avoid the drop in which was been a horrendous past few months in the Granite City. Robinson said: “Let me first say, Sivert is a great boy. I loved working with him for that short period of time. “(But) Sivert hasn’t played a game for… I think he’s started one game in months and months and months, so he wasn’t an integral part of the squad. “He got a four-year contract and a coaching offer, which was nearly a seven-year contract. “He made it very, very clear he wanted to go home. “And sometimes you have to be fair in life. “And if he wasn’t going to contribute to us staying up in terms of the pitch minutes – and previous suggests he wasn’t going to do that – I think it would have been very, very unfair to say ‘you can stay there and maybe not even be on the bench at stages’. “So yes, I believe that was the right decision.” Aberdeen appear to not have many older faces and experience which Nilsen had as the Norwegian was one of the older players within the squad although Robinson is known for playing the youth during in time in Paisley. After being questioned on whether Aberdeen need to look into some more experienced faces: “There’s a little bit of disparity in the squad, of course. “That’s not something I can focus on right now. I have to get the best I possibly can out of what’s available. “And then we’ll worry about it in the summer. “But yes, I certainly take your point on that, yes. “Well, we do that anyway.”
Celtic leave it late to defeat 10-man Dundee to keep title hopes alive
A late goal by Iheanacho keeps the Celtic title dream alive as Hearts slip up in Lothian and the gap to just three points. Celtic with an early chance as Daizen Maeda flashed a ball across the box but no on there to take it as a big chance goes missing for the visitors. Martin O’Neil’s men were ahead after 8 minutes as Tierney whipped a low cross into the box with McCracken dealing with the initial chance but eventually landed at Yang who made no mistake as he scoops the ball in. Following sloppy play by the hosts, Cvancara tried his luck from distance but fired well over to deny a second. Celtic on 21 minutes had another huge chance as Nygren fired a ball across the goal-mouth but Yang unable to tap it in after stretching fully but unable to connect. Maeda soon after had a darting run goal bound but his strike from distance was stopped by the leg of the Dundee number one after Nygren playing a great ball. A mistake by Dundee allowed Cvancara through on goal with a darting run towards McCracken where the striker struck the ball but only finding the post in a chance he really had to score. Celtic continued to cause issues as Nygren picked up the ball on the edge of the box, slotted to Cvancara but was a simple stop for the Dundee man in goal. Moments later, youngster Colby Donovan unleashed one from distance but just a bit too high to cause any real problems. A poor first 45 by the hosts as they struggled to test Sinisalo at all where Celtic have looked miles better than the hosts as they go into the break ahead and well deserved. Into the second period, Celtic should have had two as Nygren squared the ball to Cvancara who took an extra touch which killed off any chance of getting the second of the afternoon. 10 minutes into the second half, Dundee were awarded a spot kick following handball with captain Simon Murray dispatched striking it into the bottom left-hand corner to put Dundee back on level terms. Celtic had a chance after the hour mark, Tierney on the left-flank who whipped the ball in which Yang’s header was tipped over by McCracken. Celtic were ahead late on after substitute Saracchi crossed the ball in as Iheanacho connected well and struck the ball into the back of the net from close range. Dundee were moments later reduced to ten as Astley was shown red following a last man challenge as it went all wrong for the Dees. Iheanacho almost had the third but a brilliant block by the substitute Koumetio denied their third. A big win on the road for Celtic as they tighten the gap at the top to just three points as the title race heats up for the final six games. Dundee: McCracken(6), Wright (6), Astley (6), Halliday (6), Graham (8), Congreve (7), Yogane (7), Dhanda (6), Hamilton (6), Robertson (7), Murray (7). Substitutes: Hay (6), Cotterill (6), Wright (6), Koumetio (6), Reilly (6). Celtic: Sinisalo (6), Scales (6), Donovan (6), Tierney (6), Trusty (6), McGregor (6), Yang (7), Maeda (6), Nygren (7), Oxlade-Chamberlain (7), Cvancara (6). Substitutes: Iheanacho (7), Ralston (6), McCowan (6), Saracchi (6), Forrest (6).
Scotland 0- 1 Japan: Dull Display from Scots as winless Hampden friendly run continues.
Scotland remain 10 years without a friendly victory at Hampden after an uninspiring performance in cagey game against Japan. Scotland host Japan at Hampden Park for the first time in history in a World Cup warm-up match for this summer’s tournament. The nations have only faced three times before, with two 0-0 draws and Japan coming out 2-0 winners in 2009. Manager Steve Clarke makes changes for this squad, as Kilmarnock loanee Findlay Curtis gets his first callup to the senior squad, while Ros McCrorie is also in the squad since making his international debut two years ago. This is Scotland’s first match since their stunning 4-2 victory against Denmark four months ago. Scotland fans will of course be familiar while Japan’s Daizen Maeda, who was PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year for Celtic last season, and has seven league goals for the club this season. Other players include Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma and Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada, who featured in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Europa League final victory against Rangers in 2022. Japan is on a four-match unbeaten run, which includes a 3-2 win against Brazil last October in Tokyo. First Half The first half kicked off under the Hampden sun, with Scotland wearing their newly released away kit. The half started with early pressure from Japan, as four minutes into the game an early shot from captain Maeda was blocked by the Scotland defence. Only four minutes later however, Scotland mustered their first attack. McGinn raced down the right-hand side, and his low cross was met by McTominay, who looked like he would convert the chance, but a save by Zion Suzuki bounced off the post and onto the goal line and was cleared by the Japanese defence. The next chance would come midway through the half as Kodai Sano’s shot from outside the box went straight into the hands of Angus Gunn. Keisuke Goto’s blocked shot also failed to find the target after a Japan corner. Ao Tanaka would see his chance rattle off the crossbar just after the half hour mark, as Japan continued their control of the game without really testing Gunn in the Scotland goal. Five minutes later, good passing play from Japan put Yuito Suzuki in a threatening area, but his shot also went straight to Angus Gunn to collect. Just before halftime, Scotland would get up the pitch from left to right, as Conway’s cross flew to Patterson, who delivered a floated cross to McTominay, but his glancing header failed to threaten Suzuki who easily collected. Gunn also handled a chance by defender Watanabe, as the referee blew the whistle for halftime. Second Half Japan made three half time changes whilst Steve Clarke opted to field the same eleven. Early in the half Scotland moved the ball around well, and captain Andy Robertson looped a cross into McTominay, who once again was unable to find the target. Japan’s fast counterattack saw substitute Junnosuke Suzuki’s shot fall straight into Gunn’s hands. Scotland looked to attack; however, Scott McTominay was brought down by Fujita just outside the Japan box. McTominay’s freekick was then tipped over the bar by Suzuki. A great solo run by Andy Robertson down the left-hand side saw his shot from a narrow angle saved by Suzuki for a Scotland corner. On the hour mark, Scotland made their first changes as John McGinn and Lyndon Dykes made way for Ryan Christie and George Hirst Daizen Maeda also exited the field of play, still unable to shake off a season of struggle at club level. Following a Japan corner, the ball fell to substitute Mitoma on the edge of the box, but his shot flashed just wide of the post. Only a few minutes later, Junya Ito found the ball deep into the Scotland box, turning Lewis Ferguson and forcing a good save out of Angus Gunn for Japan’s best chance of the game. Japan once again showed good passing play as Mitoma raced down the left-hand side and looped the ball over Gunn, however Denmark hero Kenny McLean was there to make the clearance. Steve Clarke made more changes as captain Robertson and McTominay came off for Kieran Tierney and Billy Gilmour. Tierney showed good awareness to intercept a potential Japanese attack, and played a good ball into George Hirst, whose shot went wide into the side netting. Only a minute later Conway was brought down by Doan for a freekick deep into Japanese territory, but the Scots were unable to make it count. Into the final ten minutes of the game, Anthony Ralston entered the pitch for Nathan Patterson, whilst Conway made way for Findlay Curtis, who made his full international debut. Only a few minutes later, Japan finally broke the deadlockwith good play as the ball fell to Junya Ito, who bundled shot slid past Angus Gunn to make it 1-0 to the visitors with less than ten minutes remaining. This was the Genk man’s 15international goal. Scotland failed to threaten in the final minutes of the match, as the game fizzled out for a 1-0 victory to Japan. Following this result, Japan extended their unbeaten run to five, as they next face a Wembley visit to play England. Meanwhile, Scotland’s ten-year winless run in friendly home games continues. They next travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for their friendly match against Ivory Coast on Tuesday, as the continue preparations for summer’s tournament. Scotland: Gunn (7), Patterson (7), Hendry (6), McKenna (6), Robertson (6), Ferguson (6), McLean (6), McGinn (6), McTominay (7), Conway (5), Dykes (5) Subs: Hirst (5), Christie (5), Gilmour (6), Tierney (7), Ralston(6), Curtis (6) Japan: Z. Suzuki (8), Seko (6), Watanabe (8), Ito (7), Sugawara (6), Fujita (7), Tanaka (7), Maeda (c) (6), Y. Suzuki(7), Sano (7), Goto (6) Subs: Taniguchi (6), J. Suzuki (6), Mitoma (8), Nakamura (7), Doan (6), Ueda (7), Ito (9), Hashioka (6), Shiogai (8), Kamada (7)
