It is set to be a busy international break for the Dons with a selection of first team faces due to jet off to represent their respective countries as we take a break from domestic duties.
Back on home turf, there will be three AFC representatives vying for a chance to pull on the Navy of Scotland with Jack MacKenzie and Kevin Nisbet both joining Nicky Devlin in the Senior National Team squad.
In an interesting side plot, two of the Dons top performers so far this season, Topi Keskinen and Jamie McGrath, will be shaping up against each other over the break when Finland welcome The Republic of Ireland.
Alfie Bavidge – Scotland U19S
On loan Ayr United man Alfie Bavidge is the first AFC player to get his international fixtures underway when his Scotland U19 side take on Hungary in a friendly tomorrow afternoon. On Sunday the sides will meet again for a second match between the sides at the DEAC Stadium in Debrecen.
Hungary U19 v Scotland U19
International Friendly
Thursday, 10 October 2024 – kick off 3pm (UK time)
DEAC Stadium, Debrecen
Hungary U19 v Scotland U19
International Friendly
Sunday, 13 October 2024 – kick off 11am (UK time)
DEAC Stadium, Debrecen
Jack Milne – Scotland U21S
As is now becoming routine, Jack Milne joins up with Scott Gemmill’s U21 squad for a colossal double header against Belgium and Kazakhstan in the race to qualify for Under 21-EURO 2025. Gemmill has named a strong squad for the games in Edinburgh and Almaty, Milne is joined by the likes of Lyall Cameron, Lennon Miller and his former teammate, Calvin Ramsay.
Scotland U21 v Belgium U21
UEFA Under-21 EURO 2025 Qualifier
Friday, 11 October – 7pm
Tynecastle Park
Kazakhstan U21 v Scotland U21
UEFA Under-21 EURO 2025 Qualifier
Tuesday, 15 October – 5pm (UK time)
Almaty Ortalyk Stadion
Nicky Devlin, Jack MacKenzie & Kevin Nisbet – Scotland
The aforementioned Dons trio are in the squad for big games against Croatia and Portugal in the Nations League. First on the agenda is a trip to Zagreb on Saturday evening, before a Hampden homecoming against star studded and Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal. It has been a challenging period for the national team that has saw Steve Clarke’s side slump to the bottom of the tricky Group A.
Less than a week before his 31st birthday, Nicky could grab his first cap for his country in Croatia, with Jack in the same position, after he was called up to replace Greg Taylor. The fullbacks have been in excellent form throughout the start of the campaign and their call-ups are nothing short of thoroughly deserved.
Kevin Nisbet already has 11 national team caps to his name and was a part of the Scotland squad that represented the country at Euro 2020. He has one international goal, scoring against The Netherlands in June 2023.
Croatia v Scotland
UEFA Nations League
Saturday 12 October – 5PM (UK Time)
Stadion Maksimir
Scotland v Portugal
UEFA Nations League
Tuesday 15 Octoer – 7:45PM
Hampden Park
Topi Keskinen – Finland
It will be a busy week for Topi with the winger set to feature in two more high profile UEFA Nations League fixtures for his country. Keskinen made his debut for Finland during the last break when he came off the bench against Greece. The October games present matches against the Republic of Ireland and a rematch against losing Euro 2024 finalists England – Topi made his first start for his country against The Three Lions at Wembley in September.
Finland v Republic of Ireland
UEFA Nations League
Thursday October 10 – 7:45pm (UK Time)
Helsingin Olympiastadion
Finland v England
UEFA Nations League
Sunday October 13 – 5PM (UK Time)
Helsingin Olympiastadion
Dimitar Mitov – Bulgaria
Dimitar Mitov will also be Nations League action when his Bulgaria side face off against Luxemburg and Northern Ireland in League C. Dimi will be hoping to build on his five caps he has already accrued, he takes on Luxembourg in Plovdiv before returning to the UK to play Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, where he will be up against former Don Josh Magennis.
Bulgaria v Luxembourg
UEFA Nations League
Saturday 12 October – 5PM (UK Time)
Hristo Botev Stadium
Northern Ireland v Bulgaria
UEFA Nations League
Tuesday 15 October – 7:45PM
Windsor Park
Slobodan Rubezic – Montenegro
Rubi is off to Samsun on Friday for some Nation League football against Turkey as his Montenegro side like to get back on track after a disappointing last international break that saw two defeats at the hands of Iceland and Wales. ‘The Brave Falcons’ have a chance to avenge defeat against the Welsh when they head to the Cardiff City Stadium on the Monday, they look to get off the bottom of the Group four league B table.
Turkey v Montenegro
UEFA Nations League
Friday 11 October – 7:45PM (UK Time)
Samsun Yeni 19 Mayıs Stadium
Wales v Montenegro
UEFA Nations League
Mon 14 October – 7:45PM
Cardiff City Stadium
Jamie McGrath – Republic of Ireland
The fine form of Jamie McGrath has earned the Dons midfielder a Republic of Ireland recall from manager Heimir Hallgrímsson. Already capped ten times for his country, Jamie will be hoping to feature in Nations League matches against Finland and Greece, both away from home.
Finland v Republic of Ireland
UEFA Nations League
Thursday October 10 – 7:45pm (UK Time)
Helsingin Olympiastadion
Greece v Republic of Ireland
UEFA Nations League
Sunday October 13 – 7:45PM (UK Time)
Stadio Georgios Karaiskakis
