For the first time since April 1994, Aberdeen had four players involved in an International match.

Back then against Austria- Stewart McKimmie, Brian Irvine and Eoin Jess all started whilst Duncan Shearer came on as a sub. All four were also involved a few days later against Holland.

This evening Scott McKenna was named in Alex McLeish’s starting XI for the match with Gary Mackay-Steven and Dons captain, Graeme Shinnie joining first time call up Michael Devlin on the bench.

Scotland started the game positively but fell behind just before the break, Wolves winger Helder Costa prodding the ball beyond Craig Gordon.

At the start of the second period, Scott went close when he got a powerful header on a John McGinn corner but the effort flew just by the post. Aberdeen skipper Shinnie was introduced to the action on 64 minutes before the visitors made it 2-0 when a superbly taken free kick by Renato Sanches was headed into the net by Eder.

Gary made it three Dons representatives on the pitch when he replaced Oliver McBurnie in the 76th minute to make his second appearance for Scotland following his debut against the United States in 2013.

Jack Hendry’s run up field was halted by Portugal who countered swiftly and despite the valiant efforts of Graeme Shinnie, Bruma curled the ball beyond Gordon to make it three-nil.

The Aberdeen contingent continued to battle till the end and a driving run from midfield by Shinnie resulted in the ball falling for Mackay-Steven who cleverly back-heeled it to Steven Naismith and he fired beyond the substitute Portuguese goalkeeper for a 93rd minute consolation. A fantastic bit of improvisation by Gary.

Unfortunately, Michael Devlin didn’t get to make his debut this evening but with his outstanding form so far for The Dons it can’t be far away.

FULL TIME | Scotland 1-3 Portugal