Scotland U21 .........2 Estonia U21 .........0

PAUL Dalglish, son of Scotland legend Kenny, last night dedicated his first goal for his country to the memory of one of his closest friends who died earlier this week and whose funeral was yesterday.

Jim Ganley, 22, from Manchester, was a close friend of the Newcastle player, who said his thoughts were with his friend's family. The poignant message from Dalglish came after he was the man-of-the-match during Scotland's 2-0 Under-21 win over Estonia at a windswept Shyberry Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie.

Watched from the stands by his famous father, Dalglish tormented the Estonian defence with strong runs down the flanks, his performance capped by a second-half goal which added to Craig Dargo's first-half strike.

Dalglish talked with pride of how he felt about scoring on his debut. He said: ''My dad normally tells me what I have done badly rather than what I have done well,'' said Dalglish Jr. ''He does that to make me a better player and I'm sure he'll do that when I speak to him about last night's game but I don't take it personally.''

Scotland Under-21 manager Alex Smith praised Dalglish and his striking partner, Dargo. Of Dalglish, Smith said: ''It was great he got that goal and worked very hard. He manages to get behind people and in modern football that can be very difficult to do.''

This European championship qualifying victory was the Under-21s' first win in 12 matches since March, 1997, when they beat Estonia at home by 4-0.

There were three sons of former Scottish internationalists in the selection of manager Smith and assistant Maurice Malpas - Dalglish, Jamie Buchan and Gavin Strachan, sons of Martin and Gordon.

Scotland were soon in the driving seat, with captain Grant Brebner, of Reading, pulling the strings in the middle of the park.

He was ably supported by Leicester's Stuart Campbell. It was his ball behind the defence after six minutes which wrong-footed Nommik, and his uncertainty was pounced on by Raith striker Dargo. The youngster was less than convincing with his low shot from just inside the box, but it just squeezed below keeper Kaalma.

Dalglish looked full of poise when cutting in from wide and it was his shot in 16 minutes which Kaalma did well to save.

In 25 minutes, Scotland were lucky not to concede a penalty when Brebner seemed to push Oun in the back as the little striker was winding his way into the box.

On the half-hour mark, Russell Anderson was carried off after a tackle on Allas of Estonia, the Aberdeen player being replaced by Craig McEwan.

The Estonians seemed happy to defend deep and bank on the counterattack, which gave them few opportunities despite the strong running of their front two.

Dalglish almost increased Scotland's lead when he met a Brebner cross on the volley only for his effort to be saved low by Kaalma. Then Dargo was foiled by the keeper after great long ball from his own half by McEwan.

On half-time, Oun tried a long-range effort from just inside the Scottish half, but his effort was easily saved by Alexander.

In 51 minutes, Dalglish cut inside and was unlucky to see his angled drive drift just wide.

Smith decided to shuffle the pack in 67 minutes, when Campbell was replaced by Notman, of Manchester United. He added a bit of urgency but Brebner had drifted out of things and, without his promptings, Scotland seemed to lack flair.

In 70 minutes, Estonia were reduced to 10 men when defender Kurjanov was sent off after seeming to aim a kick at Strachan as the Coventry player lay on the ground after a tussle.

Four minutes later, Scotland increased their lead when Dargo put over a speculative cross to the back post towards Dalglish.

The youngster showed great composure, allowing the ball to bounce before he hit it on the volley from inside the six-yard box and into the far corner of the net.

A few minutes later Dargo was replaced by Celtic's Mark Burchill, who put in a power of running.

Scotland - Alexander, Anderson, Naysmith, Easton, Wilson, Buchan, Campbell, Strachan, Dargo, Brebner (captain), Dalglish. Substitutes - Robertson, Archi-bald, McEwan, Burchill, Notman, McBride, Paterson.

Estonia - Kaalma, Piroja, Anis, Nommik, Kurjanov, Anniste, Haavistu, Allas, Saviauk, Stepanov, Oun. Substitutes - Treiel, Jurisson, Taan, Vink, Mae.

Referee - K Natri (Finland).