Italy¿s Under 21s proved too strong for their Scottish counterparts as they recorded a 4-1 friendly win at Easter Road.
Stark's men suffer friendly defeat to Italians at Easter Road
Italy's Under 21s proved too strong for their Scottish counterparts as they recorded a 4-1 friendly win at Easter Road.
Alessandro Florenzi netted with a free header after eight minutes and Mark Ridgers made three fine saves from Ciro Immobile either side of Gary Mackay-Steven hitting a post for Scotland.
Mackay-Steven levelled after 33 minutes, but Immobile restored Italy's advantage after Grant Adam, a half-time replacement for Ridgers, was taken off on a stretcher as a precaution seconds after the restart after taking a blow to the head.
Chelsea forward Islam Feruz, aged 16 years and 197 days, became Scotland's youngest U21 international as one of seven debutants, but had a limited impact before the hosts went further behind to Lorenzo Insigne's 76th minute free-kick and Samuele Longo's 90th minute strike.
The performances of Mackay-Steven and his Dundee United team-mate, Johnny Russell, who played the first 45 minutes, were enough to warm Scotland boss Craig Levein on a cold night in the capital.
But the visitors' class told as Billy Stark's side were beaten in a match which provided important preparation for next month's European Championship qualification clash with Bulgaria.
Italy have a 100 per cent record from their five qualifying matches to date and should unbeaten Scotland squeeze out of Group 10, where they trail Holland by one point with three matches remaining, they will be keen to avoid the Azzurri in the play-offs.
