THE introduction of Caroline Weir midway through a low key friendly at Seaview Stadium proved a match winner as the Manchester City star's late penalty separated the sides at Seaview Stadium.
The goal made it ten wins from ten for Scotland against Northern Ireland since 2005, but with both sides well under full strength it was a game of few chances and highlights. Scotland now travel to Llanelli to play Wales in as second friendly on Tuesday.
Interim head coach Stuart McLaren gave a debut to Rangers central defender Brianna Westrup, who is from the United States but qualifies for Scotland though her mother. There was also a first start for Celtic midfielder Lisa Robertson as McLaren left captain Rachel Corsie on the bench along with Kim Little, Erin Cuthbert and Weir.
That left Glasgow City goalkeeper Lee Alexander wearing the armband for the first time against an injury-ravaged home side missing eight usual first team picks.
Other than two good Scotland efforts near the end, there was little to separate the sides in an evenly matched and low tempo first 45 minutes. Lana Clelland, playing her first game since scoring against Japan in the 2019 World Cup, set up an early chance for Claire Emslie but the Everton winger couldn't make a clean connection.
Westrup nearly had a quick impact when she sent a penetrating through ball behind the Northern Ireland defence midway through the half. Clelland, however, failed to control the ball cleanly on the edge of the box.
There was finally an effort of substance five minutes from half time. Chloe Arthur fed Emslie and she brilliantly turned former Glasgow City centre half Julie Nelson before firing in a curling shot which skimmed the top of the bar. Sixty seconds later right back Rachel McLauchlan sent a 20 yard shot just over.
Robertson, in her last significant contribution before being replaced by Weir midway through the second half, tested Jackie Burns with a 25 yard shot, but although the goalkeeper could only palm it in front of her, Chloe Arthur couldn't get the decisive touch which might have brought a goal.
It finally arrived twelve minutes from time. Christie Murray was brought down in the box by Laura Rafferty, and although Burns guessed correctly, Weir sent the spot kick into the bottom right hand corner of the net. It was a winner which had looked like it might never arrive.
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