Scotland 0-1 Holland: Memphis Depay makes the difference as the visitors triumph at Pittodrie

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For Scotland failed qualifying campaigns usually end in a familiar, plaintive plea. On Thursday night interm boss Malky Mackay gave the Tartan Army what they want, introducing a raft of kids. It won't be enough to land him the job of leading the national team on a permanent basis.

Speaking before a low-key friendly in Aberdeen SFA Chief Executive Stewart Regan effectively ruled his performance director out of the running. Mackay already has a key role in the future strategy of Scottish football and, after a mere 10 months in office, the governing body see no reason for change.

At the very least a win over Dick Advocaat's star-studded Dutch side might have prompted a debate. In the event a suspiciously offside 40th minute winner from former Manchester United forward Memphis Depay could witness the end of the Mackay reign end before it ever really began.

Memphis Depay celebrates with team-mates after opening the scoring at Pittodrie

The former Manchester United man couldn't hide his delight in among dejected opponents

Depay slotted home from close range to give Holland the advantage a Pittodrie

The regret is that the result failed to match a performance of courage and promise. A night when the likes of John McGinn, Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie did their chances of future recognition no harm at all.

Kieran Tierney was once again the pick of the bunch. Granted the honour of captaining his country for the first time at the age of 20 years and five months, he marked the occasion with a polished and composed performance as a makeshift centre back. That Tierney never plays his natural position for his country and still looks the best player in a generation is a testament to a rare talent.

Darren Fletcher is the only Scotland player in the modern age to captain his country at a younger age. The reasons for that become more apparent with every game.

'There was maybe nine Scottish-based players tonight,' said Mackay. 'It's about giving them belief that they are good players, top players. I picked the squad because that's what I looked at from afar.

'I saw them up close and personal this week. I saw a group of players who are technically very talented and very receptive to anything we asked them to do tactically.

Callum McGregor cuts a dejected figure after his side conceded a sucker punch of a goal

Scotland interim manager Malky MacKay barks commands at his players from the touchline

'We could have lost by four or five tonight if we didn't do that.

'We have a lot of young, hungry, athletic and talented footballers. They just need belief. They just need helped along the way to become top Scottish international footballers.

'If they play against mid-ranking European teams like that in a campaign, then we win.'

The Scots were going for their first unbeaten calendar year since 1970 here, the absence of Scott Brown and pre-match injury Stuart Armstrong prompting Mackay to turn to youth. Christie, McGregor and Ryan Jack were handed international debuts. Kenny McLean, the Aberdeen midfielder, made his first start in 18 months.

The booing of Jack by a section of the 17,833 crowd on his first return to his home city since leaving Aberdeen to join Rangers was sporadic and mildly depressing. Further evidence, were it needed, of the relentless parochial small-mindedness of some Scottish supporters. Say this for Jack. One of a number players who had his inclusion publicly queried by former Scotland striker Kris Boyd in a pre-match headline storm he put in a shift in a position he never plays for his club.

There will be plaudits, too, for Christie - a lively and creative box of tricks on the left flank. And McGregor. Scotland have played poorer than they did here in 2017 and won.

Defeat owed much to the lack of a cutting edge up front. The Netherlands had one real chance in 90 minutes and took it. Scotland had countless opportunities and took none.

Virgil van Dijk jumps highest to win an aerial ball and clear the threat of a Scotland attack

Mackay offers words of encouragement to departing substitute James Forrest

As manager of Rangers Dick Advocaat lost just once at Pittodrie. After failing to reach a World Cup play-off the expectation the old boy will bow out after a friendly in Romania on Tuesday and a win over the Scots he - and perhaps he alone - thought his side deserved.

The home nation, back in a traditional Scotland kit, were caught on the break five minutes before half-time. A promising attack turned into a swift Dutch counter attack following slack passes at key moments from Matt Phillips and McGregor.

Georginio Wijnaldum surged over the halfway line, feeding Ryan Babel on the right side for the Besiktas striker to swing in a pinpoint cross finished off by Depay at the back post. Television pictures suggested the Lyon star was inches offside. The French officials had no benefit of a replay.

The regret for the Scots was that they should have been two ahead in the opening 10 minutes.

It took two fine blocks from Karim Rekik and Nathan Ake to prevent a certain goal for either Matt Phillips and James Forrest.

Phillips, clearly a winger rather than a centre forward, then had another fine chance minutes later. It came from humble origins, an old fashioned punt up the park from Tierney putting the West Brom player one on one with Van Dijk. He forced a shot on goal, but which Barcelona keeper Jasper Cillesen saved easily.

John McGinn holds off the pressure of Kevin Strootman in the centre of midfield

Liverpool and Scotland defender Andy Robertson challenges Timothy Fosu-Mensah

Tierney almost marked his big night as captain by thumping a fizzing strike past Cillessen from fully 25 yards. The Dutch keeper did enough to scramble round the post but Scotland looked the likelier team to score. Until the moment the Holland actually did.

John McGinn came to within inches of a leveller five minutes after the restart. A fine passage of passing football ended in Callum McGregor rolling the ball into the path of the HIbs midfielder. A well-struck left foot effort curled inches wide at the last.

McGinn returned the compliment in 67 minutes. Adept at finding space between midfield and defence, McGregor took a piercing pass and thumped a ferocious, rising left-foot strike at goal. Cillessen parried, but this was a night - before his removal for Jason Cummings in 86 minutes - when Gordon Strachan's curious ambivalence towards the Celtic midfielder was called into question.

Quincy Promes (left) and Scotland's Christophe Berra battle to get up and win the header

The previous manager never seemed over-enamoured, either, with Bournemouth's Ryan Fraser. Thrown on for James Forrest on the right flank, however, the former Aberdeen winger almost made a remarkable impact, a magnificent first touch from a raking Tierney crossfield ball ending in a low show trundling inches wide of the Dutch post.

The regret for Scotland is that the best late chances fell to players only on the pitch a matter of seconds. Handed a brief, late debut Cummings had the chance to make a heroic bow in a Scotland shirt. Sent through by Phillips, a low left foot shot lacked bite or composure.

For Scotland it was that kind of night. Decent, heartening, but frustrating in front of goal.