Ex Celt goes against the grain over Scotland’s Hampden ‘heroes’

One time Celtic striker Greig Spence offered a different perspective on Scotland’s heroic draw with Portugal on Tuesday night.

It seems that the failings of a 39-year-old from the Saudi Pro League was a reason for celebration on the back of four successive defeats that trailed back to a completely underwhelming appearance at the European Championships in the summer.

Scotland produced very little at Hampden on Tuesday night but the sight of Ronaldo stomping off at the final whistle has been celebrated with little thought over the prior 90 minutes that leaves Steve Clarke’s squad detached at the bottom of their group and almost certainly dropping back to League B.

Fed a line about being decimated by injuries which in reality covered John McGinn, Kieran Tierney and a left- back Scotland put in a backs to the wall performance and took a point.

The celebrations among the players at the final whistle made for awkward viewing with a record of one win, over Gibraltar in 15 matches.

Spence had a workmanlike career, some highlights with Celtic youth teams that included Callum McGregor and James Forrest then some fame over four spells at Alloa and a regular supply of goals across the central belt for Raith Rovers, Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir before finishing up last season at Stirling Albion.

His boots have been left behind as he builds up Greig Spence Gas, Plumbing and Heating a career that will outlast his days kicking a ball and scoring goals.

Most fans watching the Portugal at the European Championships will know that it was a tournament too far for Ronaldo after a year and a half in the Saudi Pro League nudging his scoring records upwards.

There is no doubt that for a number of years he carried the Portuguese national side, as the European Championships proved that has now been reversed with Roberto Martinez afraid to make the big decision.

Next month Scotland face Croatia at home and Poland away needing a win to avoid a calendar year without a competitive victory, Ronaldo won’t be involved leaving Clarke and his squad to try and find a way of winning without distraction.

I’d also add to this that our greatest sportsman ever imo Andy Murray is a terrible loser and regularly moaned about descions but that’s why he was a winner ?

— graham blair (@THEWEEGMAN1975) October 17, 2024

No, I enjoy them, good to get regular breaks

Vote

Yes, stop start, stop start season is ridiculous

Vote