Alex McLeish’s fading credibility took a further knock today when he brought in three players to replace the four call-off’s from tomorrow’s match with Portugal.
On the back of the 2-1 defeat in Israel there was plenty for Scotland fans to be critical of but McLeish’s post match media conference caused more alarm.
Opening up with the old favourite of a game of two halves wasn’t anticipated with Scotland outplayed for the whole 90 minutes with barely a worthwhile move or attempt on the Israeli goal.
4 out
3 in pic.twitter.com/X9XEah0fTR— Matt Reid (@matthewreid1234) October 13, 2018
3 defenders out and 1 brought in. Perfect….
— ???????????????????????????????????? BE HAPPY (@DeanoBeano17) October 13, 2018
McLeish probably thinks Gary Mackay-Steven is three people.
— Maurice Boyle (@MauriceLBoyle) October 13, 2018
Still waiting for the ‘update’ on McLeish#McLeishOut
— Chris Duncan ???? (@DaysGreen1) October 13, 2018
Let me guess, Mackay-Steven in goal, Christie at centre back, Devin up front ????????????????????????????????????????????
— Ricardo Davidson ???????????????????????????? (@Tr1cky73) October 13, 2018
4 out 3 in 3 defenders out & one in!What does Cooper at Leeds need to do to get in!!
McLeish had his chance before & ran away when a cheque was dangled. Time to start again with a progressive thinking manager— Gordon Frew (@weealpha06) October 13, 2018
The only thing I want to see is. OUT: McLeish. IN: anyone but McLeish
— William Mckenna (@mcklennox79) October 13, 2018
This is a manager running around like a headless chicken. Actually the chicken would probably do a better job.
— jayhawk (@allotment100) October 13, 2018
The major clanger however from the Scotland manager surrounded John Souttar’s sending off.
Managers or players will make the odd mistake when identifying players but the depth that McLeish went into over Scott McKenna was something different.
The Aberdeen defender replaced the injured Charlie Mulgrew at half-time but was mentioned by McLeish as a replacement for Souttar before he was red carded.
With his slow delivery it is clear that McLeish thinks carefully about everything that he says, before and after the match with Portugal everything that he says and does will come under the closest of scrutiny.