Under-21 fixtures are usually associated more with the performances of England’s young guns and how they are progressing but a number of factors should make this a very competitive clash.
Aidy Boothroyd’s side will contain many of the players who won the Under-20 World Cup in the summer and have now moved up to the next age level. Continuity of selection throughout the age group teams has been a feature of England’s recent success.
Scotland also have a group of players who the Tartan Army may be getting excited about in a few years time.
Particular focus will be on Oliver Burke, signed by RB Leipzig for £13m as a 19-year-old and now a West Bromwich Albion player after a summer move. He captained Scotland to an impressive 2-0 victory against Holland in their opening qualifier and also opened the scoring in that game, prompting talk of a recall to the senior ranks.
Celtic defender Anthony Ralston has also been gaining top-level experience recently, featuring for the Hoops in their Champions League clash with Paris St Germain.
The timing and location of the game should also ensure a good atmosphere with a Friday night kick-off and Middlesbrough’s relative proximity to the border tempting a decent contingent of Scotland fans to travel.
Tickets are available from Middlesbrough FC, priced at £10 Adults and £5 Concessions.