When you have to stoop to Kevin Kyle for a favourable opinion you know you are in trouble.
Last night, without the comfort blanket of a Scottish referee, John Souttar had a bit of a ‘mare as Holland hammered Scotland 4-0 with the Dutch only looking interested in the last 20 minutes.
Scotland had gone toe to toe with the Dutch for more than an hour, trailing 1-0 Steve Clarke decided to take off Kieran Tierney in the 68th minute and send on the Ibrox sick-note.
??”I just think he’s a proper, proper defender but he also plays.”
John Souttar ‘Scotland’s best defender’ as pundit gives Rangers star ringing endorsement for Euro 2024 start
?https://t.co/JaMBomAWQm pic.twitter.com/zt0veRcORj
— Football Scotland ????????? (@Football_Scot) March 23, 2024
A central defensive unit of Souttar, Jack Hendry and Ryan Porteous isn’t going to worry any international side, it probably will worry a lot of Scotland fans as they make their plans for matches against Germany, Switzerland and Hungary at the European Championships.
Holland found an extra gear in the last 20 minutes, they could have added another goal or two with little consolation for Clarke to take from the match.
It seems that a purple patch inspired around a handful of top players highlighted by the goals of Scott McTominay are fading into the background with a squad of bang average players highlighted by forward options of Lawrence Shankland, Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams.
With Grant Handley and Scott McKenna both out injured Souttar is likely to remain involved in Tuesday’s match against the north east of Ireland which should at least cheer up former Scotland striker Kyle.
He makes harry Maguire look like beckenbauer.
— Garymcb1982 (@Garymcbride1982) March 23, 2024
Absolutely rank rotten. Contributed to last 3 goals.
— tales from the riverbank (@RiverbankTakes) March 23, 2024
He’s rotton..1-0 down when he came on then the flood gates opened
— Gee Dee (@GaryDru06671039) March 23, 2024
Headless chicken last night
— Kenny (@KennyChatter) March 23, 2024
What match was he watching. Clearly not the one last night.
— Anthony Sheridan Neil ll (@AnthonyNumamoid) March 23, 2024
Last night knocked that theory!!!. Defence fell apart when he came on. Not played enough, not been around National team enough. Missed Hanley and McKenna.
— Stuart Mitchell (@Stuyyz) March 23, 2024
He was awful last night. When was the last time he had a stand out performance, I’ll wait
— Darren Service (@DarrenService71) March 23, 2024
A gaff merchant. Can’t be trusted not to switch off at least once a half
— LeviStubbsTears (@thejudge60) March 23, 2024
This is a joke right??
I hate Porteous but he’s even miles better than Souttar. He shouldn’t be near the Scotland starting lineup
— Beasty’s Dons (@BeastysDonsCOYR) March 23, 2024
Would rather play with 10 men than have him on the park
— Martyn McPhait ??????? (@marvffc) March 23, 2024
— Tim Malloy (@TimMalloy1967) March 23, 2024
Are there parallels between our club and the Scotland team?
Both are keen to qualify for the big tournaments,
but do bugger all when they do get there…?
Zero expectations of Clarke’s team this summer.
I did get a fit of giggles at the Aberdeen fan whose tweet began “I hate Porteous but even he’s better than….” Belter! And the video of him diving was hysterical.
Defence fell apart when he came on…Absolute shocker ….
Sevco have a lot of nearing out of contract Duds to try to punt this summer.
This is the SFA giving a helping hand to a ‘Brother’ by showcasing them.
Bit like when Patterson of the Tribute Act had just made his debut and the Scaddish Medjia was pushing him for a Scotland shirt which Clarke, no doubt under instructions from the Brothers at the SFA, duly obliged.
Everton to their injury were induced to buy him for Millions, not the mega bucks the Ibrox Board & Daily Hemorrhoids claimed.
Same thing when Clarke persists with Gilmour. Forced to by the Brotherhood.