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SCOTLAND supporters can’t get a bevvy at the fitba.
But tonight Hampden was filled with boos.
PA
Reuters
PAThe Tartan Army let their feelings known after this sobering Nations League relegation play-off defeat to Greece.
Steve Clarke said just weeks ago he was 75 percent certain he’d be leaving as Scotland boss when his contract ran out.
If there’s more of this when the World Cup qualifiers kick off, there will be zero debate about it.
If his team were awesome in Athens they were God-awful in Glasgow to turn out one of their worst performances during his six years in the job.
Clarke stood out on the touchline after it was all over and looked forlorn by the defeat and the reaction to it.
But he’s had enough praise during his tenure in the job.
The abuse he got from the fed-up is just something he’s going to have to accept.
The punters were expecting so, so much better going into this decider with a 1-0 lead and yet the team did what they did in the last two major tournaments.
They failed to turn up.
And like in Germany in the summer, Clarke has to take his share of responsibility for yet another dire display in a game that mattered.
This wasn’t the Germans, Spain or Croatia – this was Greece who tore our team apart.
Put it this way, before kick-off there was a magnificent tifo for the late, great Denis Law who passed away in January.
But if heaven has a TV screen then the Law Man would have been forgiven for reaching for the remote.
Let’s get it right, Greece were well worth their win.
Their white-haired veteran boss, Ivan Jovanovic, played an absolute blinder.
In Athens last Thursday night, he had his side firing cross after cross into the Scotland penalty box.
And Scotland lapped it up.
Centre-backs Grant Hanley and John Souttar positioned themselves brilliantly that night and got their heads on everything that came their way.
This time, Greece played. Boy, did they play.
Their 17 year-old wonder-kid Konstantinos Karetsas looked the part when he stepped on the bench in the first-leg.
It was no surprise that he started this decider and was fed the ball at every opportunity.
How Scotlad stars rated against Greece
CRAIG GORDON – quiet start to 81st cap but exposed by defence at all three of Greece’s goals. Little he could do as the scorers were given time and space to net. Got away with poor kick late on 6
TONY RALSTON – terrific in first leg despite lack of action for Celtic. Was sold short by Christie at second Greek goal and didn’t let his country down in an unflashy showing 6
GRANT HANLEY – seventh 90 minutes of the season and sixth for Scotland. Dropped deep to play Greece onside before recovering. Bailed out by Souttar’s goalline clearance after weak challenge on Pavlidis allowed him in 5
JOHN SOUTTAR – Rangers man has been such a steadying influence at the back. He and Hanley found themselves sitting deep at Greece opener. Brilliant goalline clearance saved his defensive partner 6
ANDY ROBERTSON – skipper was up against wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas on 82nd appearance. First goal came down his side then dragged inside to leave him free to score second. Subbed 4
BILLY GILMOUR – usual energetic display from the wee man as one of the two sitters alongside McLean. Started by snapping into tackles and bursting forwards with purpose. Boos rung out when subbed before hour 5
KENNY McLEAN – passing was crisp to begin with. First-time ball teed up McTominay for early effort that was saved. Less successful when tried the more ambitious balls and drifted out of things. Subbed 5
RYAN CHRISTIE – replaced Ferguson after ban for first leg but game to forget. Sloppy in possession then ball watching in buildup to second. Slack pass seconds after restart teed up Greek third. Lucky to last 73 minutes 3
SCOTT McTOMINAY – writers’ international player of the year started well and saw early effort saved then another deflected into side netting. Great close control and strength but almost anonymous after the break 5
JOHN McGINN – quiet 75th cap for the Aston Villa skipper and struggled to influence things until latched onto McTominay pass on half hour and saw shot saved. Great late pass for Tierney chance 5
CHE ADAMS – Early penalty claim waved away after taking tumble. Great hold up play to start with, epitomised in one moment which saw him win a foul. Became isolated as Greece’s dominance grew. Subbed 4
SUBS
Kieran Tierney (3) left wing role and late chance saved, George Hirst (3) booked on Hampden bow then nodded chance over, Lewis Ferguson (4) so unlucky to be dropped. Cautioned for catching Karetsas with arm, James Wilson (2) 18-year-old Hearts kid was given his debut, Tommy Conway (2) did little.
The Greek’s front-foot, high press was also brave and bold.
Karetsas was on the right and always ready to pounce and it was the same with Giannis Konstantelias on the left.
Those were the two who scored the two first-half goals to put the visitors on their way towards victory.
The first, after 20 minutes, was a decent finish from Konstantelias after he slammed a cut-back past Craig Gordon.
The second, four minutes before the break, was just sensational from little teenager Karetsas.
His one-touch, left foot curling shot didn’t give the Scotland No1 a hope.
Clarke’s side did have moments at 0-0.
Scott McTominay was Scotland’s biggest threat with John McGinn bringing the best stop from goalkeeper Kostas Tzolakis.
Che Adams also had a half-hearted shout for a penalty but the Italian ref was never going to give it/
But there was something sadly missing from the performance from the men in dark blue.
The effort was there, sure.
Gilmour saw plenty of the ball too and tried to dictate play from the anchorman role.
But it was only decent to a certain point.
Clarke only made one change to his line-up that started in Athens with Ryan Christie coming in for Lewis Ferguson.
But the Bournemouth midfielder didn’t bring his outstanding club form to Hampden.
He was ball-watching at the Greece second goal and the man who played a terrible square pass that led to the third.
Coming just 17 seconds part the beginning of the second half, it was a disastrous restart for Scotland.
Konstantelias did brilliantly to make the most of it by slipping in the cleverest of little reverse passes to striker Christos Tzolis.
He then controlled his finish past Gordon.
But it was dire stuff from a Scotland point of view.
Why Clarke hadn’t made any personnel changes at the break was a complete mystery bordering on a dereliction of duty.
His team was crying out to be altered but, for whatever reason, he opted to sent the same men back out.
It was only after 54 minutes that he made a triple change.
But even Clarke’s thinking there was muddled too.
Taking off Kenny McLean and Adams made sense but Gilmour didn’t deserve the hook.
It was a decision booed by the Tartan Army with the Napoli playmaker clearly unhappy himself as he shook his head as he trudged off the park and sat on the bench.
It was no reflection on the three who came on – George Hirst, Kieran Tierney and Ferguson – who all added freshness.
But Gilmour and the supporters had every right to be annoyed.
As the clock ticked on, it was clear as day Scotland weren’t going to get the goals needed to turn it around.
Clarke made two more changes after 72 minutes with Christie and skipper Andy Robertson replaced by Tommy Conway and young James Wilson for his debut.
The fans were happier with those decisions but nothing really changed.
Greece held their shape magnificently and did the hard graft needed to protect their lead.
And after a late, late Tierney chance the final whistle brought more jeers from the fed-up fans left inside the stadium with thousands already in the pub.
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