Greg Taylor has emerged unscathed from a horror challenge during Scotland’s 2-1 win over Cyprus.
The defender earned his second full cap when Andy Robertson called off injured and linked up impressively with James Forrest on the left wing.
Ryan Christie’s brilliant first half strike was cancelled out by Georgios Efrem in the 47th minute but soon afterwards Taylor provided the cross from the left that John McGinn converted for what proved to be the winning goal.
Just before the hour mark Cyprus were awarded a free kick wide on the right, as Taylor gently rolled the ball away Jason Demetriou arrived late on the scene and put his boot into Taylor above the knee.
How that isn’t a red card for the studs up lunge into Greg Taylor’s knee I’ll never know?!? ?
Where’s VAR when you need it!
— The Tartan Scarf (@TheTartanScarf) November 16, 2019
that was a shocker \
on greg taylor thankfully \
back up and okay.. https://t.co/qi2tjiWB1F— HaikuTweets (@HaikuTweetBot) November 16, 2019
How bad was that ref. The boy getting booked for nearly breaking Greg Taylor has n half and then booking Taylor. MacGregor and Palmers yellows a joke too. That and the Cyprus goal in the first 5 mins.
— Ross Grieve ???????? (@caithnesshibee) November 16, 2019
How is that not a red card for that challenge on Taylor? Absolute shocker
— Derek Crothers (@deaks1ey) November 16, 2019
After falling to the ground Taylor got up to have a yellow card waved at him, the same punishment as Demetriou.
Fortunately, Taylor was able to complete the match, which included five minutes of stoppage time as Scotland claimed a 2-1 victory ahead of their final group match, at home to Kazakhstan on Tuesday at Hampden.