Derby County’s Louie Watson played 60 minutes as he picked up his third cap for the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s on Wednesday afternoon.

In the second of three friendly matches in Spain, the attacking midfielder was named in the starting line-up as Ireland claimed a 2-1 victory over Australia.

After a goalless first half in Marbella, an own goal by Crystal Palace’s Jay Rich-Baghuelou gave Ireland the lead after 57 minutes.

Ramy Najjarine of Newcastle Jets equalised for Australia before Ross Tierney of Bohemians netted a late winner for Ireland.


Fellow Ram Festy Ebosele was an unused substitute after he, and Watson, started in Ireland’s 2-0 loss to Switzerland last Friday.

The third and final game of Ireland’s spell in Spain will see them face Denmark on Saturday 5th June.


Derby goalkeeper David Marshall, meanwhile, missed Scotland’s UEFA European Championships warm-up friendly against the Netherlands on Wednesday night, which ended in a 2-2 draw, as a precautionary measure.

Sheffield United’s John Fleck tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and as a result it was decided that Stephen O'Donnell, Nathan Patterson, Grant Hanley, John McGinn, Che Adams and Marshall would remain at Scotland’s training camp in Spain rather than travel to Portugal for the friendly.

The six players all tested negative but were kept back as a precaution, but it is hoped that they will be available for Sunday’s friendly match in Luxembourg (6th June).

Scotland’s first European Championships Group D match is against Czech Republic on Monday 14th June before facing England on Friday 18th June and Croatia on Tuesday 22nd June.