Scotland’s trip to Japan has come in for a good deal of criticism, not least because of the result. Although Scotland lost the match, they could feel hard done by given the solid and stuffy nature of their performance in a match in which they offered little going forward, but were rarely threatened defensively. Craig Gordon looked to be on course to his thirteenth clean sheet in the national team, before his ex-Tynecastle teammate, Christophe Berra turned a cross into his own net with only eight minutes remaining. Japan extended their lead in the last minute of the game to put a flattering slant on the score line as George Burley’s experimental side pushed for an equaliser.

With the multitude of call-offs and withdrawals from Burley’s initial squad having rendered this match something of a “B” International from a Scottish point of view, the test of its worth could only be the discovery of one or two new players of sufficient quality to grace the Hampden turf in the next Euro Qualifying Campaign. This has been achieved to a certain extent, with a handful of players, including Lee Wallace, distinguishing themselves, with others such as Lee Miller of Aberdeen giving the Scotland boss a reminder of why he was not included in the original squad. The two Edinburgh representatives in today’s squad, Lee Wallace of Hearts and Derek Riordan of Hibs, can be firmly placed in the former category, though they were not each given the same opportunity to prove themselves.

Wallace was called into the squad after the withdrawal of Celtic’s Cheshire-born, but newly Scottish, Danny Fox made way for Hearts’ young fullback and Wallace coped admirably with the incessant noise and incredible atmosphere generated by the 65 00 fans in attendance in Yokohama. His strength in the tackle, athleticism and attacking ability allowed him to acquit himself in a manner that belied his inexperience, with Japan offering little threat down their right flank due to his presence. In Wallace and Steven Whittaker, Burley has two excellent, young, attack-minded and athletic full backs upon whom he can depend either in a starting role, or as back-ups for likely starters Allan Hutton and Danny Fox. Wallace gave the Scottish back four a balance that has been missing from recent performances, with the right-footed Whittaker often employed in place of the aging Calum Davidson, and the way in which this opened up the play for the Scots should not be overlooked.

Hibernian’s Derek Riordan, winning his second cap after an extended spell in the international wilderness will have impressed many with his newfound willingness to work without the ball in defensive areas for the good of the team. Previously considered a supremely talented, but lazy and at times problematic forward, Riordan’s reputation and a clash with Celtic manager Gordon Strachan had left the Drylaw-born forward languishing in the Celtic reserves, and with as much chance of receiving a warm welcome at the Tynecastle Arms as of playing for Scotland. Since the arrival of John Hughes as Manager at Easter Road, Riordan has discovered that defensive work does not necessarily preclude him from scoring goals this season. Riordan, who has scored five goals so far this campaign, as well as missing two penalties, has won many plaudits for his work ethic in recent weeks, and displayed this aspect of his game to great effect on Saturday, in the time that he was given. Riordan will possibly feel aggrieved not to have played a greater part in the match, but can be content with the work that he did in the time he was allowed by a manager who is possibly yet to forget the clashes that the two enjoyed when Burley was in the manager’s chair at Tynecastle.

The performances of these two Edinburgh-based players, as well as those of the more established Steven Whittaker, Steven Fletcher, Craig Gordon and Christophe Berra ensured that the Capital was well represented in Yokohama on Saturday. George Burley must surely now consider this match to be a worthwhile exercise, with the trip to the Far East revealing a good deal of Eastern Promise in the performances of Lee Wallace, in particular, and Derek Riordan. Both men will now be pushing for inclusion in the Scotland squad for the upcoming friendly match in Wales, which will, hopefully, see a more recognisable Scotland team take to the pitch, and a vast number of Edinburgh-born, and Edinburgh-produced footballers donning the dark blue of Scotland.