Luton winger starts for Scotland U21s as Town teen makes Cyprus U21s debut

Luton’s on-loan Manchester City youngster Emilio Lawrence won his sixth Scotland U21s cap when starting in the goalless U21 European Championships Group Stage B qualifier against Czechia on Friday night.

The 20-year-old, who has made 13 appearances for the Hatters, scoring once, since arriving from the Etihad in January and last represented his country back in November of last year, was in the starting line-up for the contest at Dens Park, Dundee, with 1,268 in attendance. Beginning out wide, Lawrence was almost responsible for breaking the deadlock on 15 minutes, when his right-footed shot was spilled by keeper Jan Koutny, who was then able to save Watson’s follow up attempt.

Czechia went close on 20 minutes, denied by some brave defending from Andy Tod, who was then involved at the other end when he deflected a clearance that saw Koutny called into action. Lawrence then made way at the start of the second half along with Tod and Dire Mebude, as Ryan Carr, Ryan One and Connor Allan all came on, head coach Scot Gemmill changing shape.

However, neither side were able to find the net during the second 45 minutes as Scotland stay third, on 11 points, level with their opponents, although they have played a game more. They head to unbeaten leaders Portugal U21s on Tuesday, the contest taking place at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota in Estoril at 7.30pm.

» Luton academy graduate Zach Ioannides made his debut for Cyprus U21s as they were beaten 7-0 by Spain in their U21 European qualifier on Friday night. The 19-year-old, who has been at Kenilworth Road since he was 11 and made his senior debut in the Vertu Trophy this term, is currently on loan at Southern League Premier South side Basingstoke Town for the rest of the campaign.

Named in the squad for the contest at the AEK Arena, Ioannides came on with 71 minutes gone of the contest, but Spain were far too strong, Real Madrid striker Gonzalo García scoring twice. The Hatters teenager will be hoping to win his second cap when Cyprus take on Finland U21s tomorrow.

» Luton teenager Dylan Stitt started for Northern Ireland’s U19s as they drew 0-0 against Romania in their U19 Euro 2026 Elite Round qualifier on Saturday.

The 18-year-old, currently on loan at National League South side Hemel Hempstead, was on the bench for the 1-0 loss to Ukraine previously, was one of four changes made by boss Gareth McAuley for the contest at the Clinceni Arena, as it was their opponents, who were beaten 2-0 by Kazakhstan in their Group Five opener, looked lively early on, attacker Iustin Doicaru seeing his shot blocked.

Northern Ireland skipper Blaine McClure put an effort wide, before Alexandru Stoian, Florin Gaspar and Robert Petculescu were all off target, as was Alex-Andrei Urcan. Just before half time, keeper Josh Gracey saved from Petculescu, with Gaspar also missing, as after the break, Northern Ireland went close when George Feeney couldn’t beat George Ungureanu.

At the other end, Gracey was tested by midfielder Raul Veres and Petculescu once more, as Stitt’s team-mates also threatened, McClure with an effort blocked just after the hour mark, Max Wilson steering wide and Joe Sheridan denied by Ungureanu. The game then swung from end to end in the closing stages, Gracey repelling attempts from Robert Necsulescu and Stoian, while Feeney and McClure also had chances. The contest finished all square though, as the U19s’ third and final match in Group Five will see them come up against Kazakhstan on Tuesday.