Motherwell man was the star of the decisive victory.
Scotland Under-21s’ convincing 5-0 victory in Malta kept their ambitions of qualifying for the European Championship on track.
With Kieron Bowie’s injury being the only negative aspect, Scot Gemmill’s team led by three goals in the first sixteen minutes and then added two more in the second half.
Bowie, who cost £600,000 to sign with Hibs from Fulham in the summer, was injured trying to sidestep a defender in the first half and was unable to play on following treatment.
On his competitive debut, Lennon Miller put on a brilliant show, scoring twice and providing two assists. Josh Mulligan, Lewis Neilson, and Dane Murray were also on target, and Ewan Wilson, Miller’s teammate at Motherwell, forced an own goal on his debut.
Wilson was added to the team after the fact for the European qualification doubleheader, which got underway on Friday night with a 2-1 loss to Spain.
The left-back joined Gemmill’s squad after playing for Steve Clarke’s senior team, and he began the Malta campaign with Max Johnston, his old Fir Park teammate, on the opposite side of defense.
Within three minutes, Wilson had opened the score with a low driven cross that Matthew Ellul diverted into his own net. Goalkeeper Cieran Slicker was lucky to only receive a yellow card for a violent, high challenge outside the penalty area, but Scotland were shortly dealt a severe blow.
In the ninth minute, the visitors increased their lead to two goals when Celtic defender Murray headed home a free kick from Miller. Sixteen minutes later, Dundee midfielder Mulligan scored the goal after strong Bowie pressing. Bowie’s game ended abruptly at the half hour mark when he pulled up with what appeared to be a leg muscle injury.
Basil Tuma, a forward for Malta, caused issues for Scotland. Slicker made a nice stop, then had a fantastic opportunity go awry. Jeremiah Mullen then failed to capitalize on a great corner from Miller.
In the 56th minute, the 18-year-old midfielder from Motherwell scored his first goal by heading in a fine cross from Daniel Kelly, who had taken Bowie’s place.
The Scots had more let-offs when Mullen looked to knock Tuma down in the area and Nikolai Micallef struck the bar with a shot, but Dire Mebude and Mulligan came closest.
Following a cross from Miller, Hearts defender Neilson, who is on loan at St Johnstone, bundled in goal number five in the 82nd minute, forcing a save from Scotland substitute Calvin Ramsay.
Scotland’s next encounter, which takes place at Tynecastle on Friday, October 11, might be crucial to their chances of qualifying as both teams are presently tied for second place behind Spain with 16 points.
