Tony Docherty began his Scotland Under-21 tenure with an emphatic 5-2 victory over Azerbaijan at Rugby Park in European Championship qualifying.
The match marked the start of a new chapter for the side following Scot Gemmill’s departure after a decade in charge. Docherty, assisted by Steven Naismith, named a team featuring several players with senior international experience, including Rangers winger Findlay Curtis, Hearts striker James Wilson and Manchester United midfielder Tyler Fletcher.
Scotland were already out of contention for next summer’s European Championship finals before kick-off after the Czech Republic secured second place in Group B with victory over Bulgaria. That did little to affect the hosts, who controlled long spells of the game in Kilmarnock.
Azerbaijan nevertheless struck first with their opening attempt. Ryan Carr lost possession before Nariman Akhundzade advanced into the penalty area and finished low across goalkeeper Liam McFarlane.
Scotland responded decisively, scoring three times in five minutes before the half-hour mark.
Curtis created the equaliser with a delivery that Barney Stewart headed into the bottom corner. Stewart soon added his second, converting from close range after Taylor Steven redirected Dylan Lobban’s ball into his path.
Curtis was involved again for Scotland’s third, supplying an unmarked Wilson, who headed home to complete the rapid turnaround.
Fletcher extended the lead after the interval, finding the net with his father Darren watching from the stands and adding a goal to a strong individual display.
Azerbaijan improved later in the second half and reduced the deficit through Raul Mammadov, who finished from close range following a free-kick.
Any hope of a late comeback disappeared when Curtis produced his third assist of the night. Another driving run ended with the winger releasing substitute Bobby Wales, who fired in Scotland’s fifth goal.
The result gave Docherty and Naismith a convincing victory in their first match in charge and provided Scotland’s young squad with a positive finish despite their qualification hopes having already ended.