Ally McCoist - International Career

International Career

McCoist appeared 10 times for the Scotland national under-18 football team. He made his debut in a European U-18 Championship qualifier against Iceland netting the only goal of the game after 19 minutes. He followed this up by scoring in the return leg, a 3–1 victory which secured Scotland's qualification for the following summer's European Under-18 Championships.

He found the net again in his 3rd appearance, a 3–1 victory over Northern Ireland. His next three appearances came in the prestigious Monaco Youth Tournament, a 1–0 defeat to West Germany, a 2–0 victory over Switzerland and a 1–1 draw with France taking his tally to five goals in six appearances.

McCoist was then selected for Scotland's semi-professional side for a four team tournament in Holland however he failed to make an appearance.

At the European U-18 Finals Scotland found themselves in a group with Austria, Spain and defending U-18 Champions England. McCoist started all three games, as Scotland defeated both Austria and England 1–0 with McCoist netting the winner against the Auld Enemy meaning the final group game against the Spanish would decide the group. Again McCoist scored, a superb free-kick in a 1–1 draw. Unfortunately this result saw Scotland eliminated on goal difference.

McCoist made his Scotland debut on 29 April 1986, in a 0–0 friendly match against Netherlands.

McCoist started just one game at the 1990 World Cup in Italy after being an integral part of the qualification bid.

He has captained Scotland once, against Australia on 27 March 1996. McCoist went on to score the winner in a 1–0 win at Hampden Park after 55 minutes. He is Scotland's fifth-highest scorer, with 19 goals.