A LEADING SNP MP has hit out at the UK broadcasting set up which meant viewers in Scotland could not watch the national's side victory over Israel live on the BBC or STV.

Scots football fans could see England play Wales in a friendly on STV, but if they wanted to watch their own national side play a key Euro qualifier against Israel they either had to subscribe to Sky or go to a pub.

Former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, now SNP MP or East Lothian, said the situation illustrated the failings of the current system.

"This was an important game for Scottish football. The public sector broadcaster should be stepping up to the mark, and as for a Scottish television station showing our major competitor friendly fixture this is frankly baffling," he told The National.

"It's just not good enough for a broadcasting service in Scotland."

The BBC network news programme at 10pm gave the result for the Scotland game - won by Scotland on penalties by 5 to 3 - but then showed a highlight from the England/Wales friendly which England won 3 -0.

Many football fans gathered outside pubs to see the end of Scotland’s Euro 2020 play-off clash against Israel beyond the 10pm curfew.The key clash between Scotland and Israel kicked off at 19.45, so pubs closed their doors as the match went to penalties, prompting fans to stand outside the doors to get a glimpse of the exciting end.

MacAskill added: "The game went to penalties so those in the pubs couldn't see the whole match and were kicked out before the final result."

The BBC said the Scotland Israel match was shown on Sky as it hold the rights for live broadcasts for Scotland's home games.

A spokesman for the BBC said highlights of the match were shown on the BBC Scotland channel and there was live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland.

He said: "The match was covered extensively on our output, including highlights and analysis in an hour long edition of Sportscene on the BBC Scotland channel.

"We also had live commentary on BBC Radio Scotland and live text coverage online.

"Network ten o’ clock news had a live report from Hampden and gave the result of the penalty shoot-out live and within about a minute of the game finishing. The match was shown on Sky as they hold the rights for live broadcasts of Scotland’s home games."

A STV spokeswoman said: “Commissioning decisions around sporting matches for the Channel 3 network are made by ITV, who acquired just the England rights for the World Cup campaign – meaning the Scotland games unfortunately can’t be shown across the network. STV will be able to show the tournament finals next year though, as these were acquired as part of the wider network package.”

STV showed extended highlights at 2305 last night, with the Scotland game as the featured match.