Derby defender Jay McEveley made an impressive international debut as Scotland earned a 1-0 win against South Africa on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old picked up his first cap for Alex McLeish's side and lined up at left-back at Aberdeen's Pittodrie Stadium.

McEveley, a former England U21 defender, said: "You can be in thousands of squads just waiting for that full cap but, thankfully, this is my second full squad and I've got the cap.

"It's a weight off my shoulders. I've just got to go back to my club and keep performing and, hopefully, the gaffer will pick me for the qualifiers."

McEveley, who joined the Rams from Blackburn Rovers in January, was born in Liverpool but qualifies for Scotland through his grandfather.

And he was joined in the international arena by two of his Pride Park colleagues.

Winger Gary Teale collected his tenth cap when coming on in the 72st minute as a replacement for Celtic's Scott Brown.

And Stephen Pearson was introduced at half-time for his eighth appearance, his first international outing since November 2004.

Stephen Pearson and Vuyo Mere battle for the ball. Picture by EMPICS Sport

Substitute Kris Boyd scored the only goal of the game in the 69th minute - just two minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Over in Bulgaria, Wales picked up an impressive 1-0 victory against the hosts.

Robert Earnshaw, the Rams' record signing, came on at half-time as a replacement for Freddy Eastwood - who had netted on his debut shortly before the interval.

Goalkeeper Lewis Price was an unused substitute while defender Lewin Nyatanga, currently on loan at Barnsley, played the full 90 minutes.

Midfielder Benny Feilhaber, recently signed from SV Hamburg in Germany, played the full 90 minutes as the United States lost 1-0 in Sweden.