Devlin & Smith happy with B international

Scotland manager Walter Smith said he was happy with his second string's performance in a drab scoreless draw with the Republic of Ireland 'B' side at Dalymount Park, Dublin on Tuesday night.

Neither side created many chances, with Darren Randolph, the Ireland goalkeeper, saving from Rangers' Kris Boyd in the first half and Roy O'Donovan coming closest for the home side.

But Smith was happy with the exercise, which saw Wigan Athletic defender Andy Webster, who had spent five months out of the game after a delayed transfer move from Hearts, return to the international scene to captain the side.

"The game gave us a closer look at everybody who was involved, and the majority of those who did play are closer to the national side," said Smith.

"Games like this can be awkward because you are bringing the boys together on a Sunday evening, playing Tuesday evening and there is no opportunity for any great continuity.

"In the first half our possession was not great and we didn't really control the game in a manner I was hoping for, and that's the only disappointing factor. We had a couple of efforts, both goalkeepers made good saves at times, but overall there weren't many opportunities." 

While Devlin was also pleased with the game.Devlin used all 18 of his squad in the game, with Luton Town defender Lewis Emanuel and Lincoln City midfielder Lee Frecklington making their first appearances in the green shirt at any level, Stephen McPhail captaining the side on his return to international football after a two-and-a-half-year absence and Anthony Stokes making a second half appearance up front, 24 hours after playing 90 minutes for Falkirk against Hearts in the SPL.

Four teenagers donned the Irish shirt on the night, with Darren Randolph in goal, Darron Gibson in midfield and Anthony Stokes and Joseph O'Cearuill, both of Arsenal, making second half substitute appearances.

Devlin said: "We blooded some players and we did well by giving the 18 here a game. I wouldn't like to pick out anybody, because we made so many changes throughout the game.

"But Darron Gibson was good in the first half, as was Stephen McPhail, while Andy Keogh worked his socks off. He should have scored, but he was excellent.

"They all did well, though. If it had been a competitive game then we would be saying: 'Well, I'm happy with that performance.'"