GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 19: James Forrest of Scotland, Greg Taylor of Scotland and Callum McGregor of Scotland line up for the national anthems during the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier between Scotland and Kazakhstan at Hampden Park on November 19, 2019 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
There was nothing glorious about Scotland’s latest failure to progress out of the group stage at a major international competition.
Over three matches Steve Clarke’s side almost managed to bore the Tartan Army into silence with an eye-bleeding style of football that made them the Livingston of international football, spoiling at every opportunity and hoping to make the most out of scraps.
UEFA didn’t record a single shot of target from Scotland as they lost 1-0 in a must win game. Hungary had lost their two previous matches by two goals and saw Barnabas Varga screened then stretchered off in scenes that brought flashbacks to Christian Eriksen three years ago.
Clarke went for safety first, starting with a back five and hoping that Scott McTominay or John McGinn could bale out the non-scoring striker that is Che Adams, it failed spectacularly.
When you bring on Lewis Morgan over James Forrest. Have Kenny McLean at left back when you gave Greg Taylor on the bench and continue with Che Adams over Shankland? These are the decisions that have sent us home. Far too passive and absolutely baffling. #Scotland
— John Boyd (@JohnBoyd86) June 23, 2024
John McGinn non existent in 3 games.
Andy Robertson non existent for Scotland compared to his Liverpool form.
But let’s just shift all the criticism on Callum McGregor.
Grow up.
— Ryan Clifford (@Ryanclifford11) June 23, 2024
The substitutions were as baffling as the starting XI with the only consolation being the eventual replacement of Billy Gilmour.
Apparently the Brighton midfielder is neat and tidy on the ball, except last night as he constantly gave away possession despite being shielded by McGinn, McTominay and Callum McGregor.
Gilmour is barely able to pass the ball forward, rarely is in possession outside his own half and finishes another season waiting for his first competitive goal.
Like the Duncan Ferguson overhead kick that hit the bar against Germany in 1993 it seems like Gilmour can dine off his performance at Wembley three years ago in a 0-0 draw with England for the rest of his career.
What benefit Taylor and Forrest got by extending their season by four weeks is hard to tell, Clarke was able to name a 26 man squad but could have comfortably got by with just 18 players.
When McGinn and Robertson are miles off form and Tierney is out injured the lack of talent comes to the fore, alongside the safety first limitations of Clarke’s management.
Clarke is a nickel&dime manager and even that’s being kind to Watty and Souness type likes of football and team selection process.
Adams played 3 games and touched the ball 3 times in those games another player doing someone out of a jersey.
Sack him just now and bring in Moyes who was talking so much sense last night and very honest.
Glad we got papped out last night it wasn’t quick enough for me,as for thenext qualifications we ain’t getting anywhere near that with those teams in our section who are superior to Hungary.
I would still have preferred 3 right good hammerings though.
Yes scud and here was me thinking that St billy Gilmour would assist with at least 4 goals and score 3 ,he is that good according to the Hun media.as for Scotland nothings changed 12 tournaments and 12 times failing to get out the groups,they were pish last night once more never laid a glove on Hungary for all their possession first half,I’ve seen Scotland go out of tournaments in this fashion since 1974 .
We’re out it’s over .
Message to the Celtic Board
Get the finger out and sign some quality players ya cheapskate b*stards
They’re not cheapskates all the time, Harold. On the contrary, when it comes to their own renumeration, their generosity of these parasites knows no bounds. FTPLC.
Hail Hail.
“Aspire To Mediocracy”
might be the legacy of that Scotland team.
A poor statement of what could have been.
Taylor and Forrest may have won that game at the end, but we’ll never know!
Just more of the same from the SFA!
Carver said Tierney balanced the Defence at Centre-Half. I have never heard such nonsense!
It’s worse than ever – as we usually go out in glorious failure on goal difference…
We didn’t even manage that this time around !
Is it true that even VAR couldn’t find Hungary’s crossbar and goalposts, never mind the space in-between ?