In terms of the scoreline this beating became far more brutal than Scotland deserved.
And that was the case for Scotland’s Euro high-flyers last night as the second best team on the planet brought them tumbling down from the dizzying heights of Sunday. Albeit, not without a decent fight. Which was the big take away that Steve Clarke had been hoping for. If his side can play like this against Europe’s best in Germany then the rest will take care of itself. Clarke is looking to put his players through a whole series of similar crash courses before now and next summer.
The pain of losing four goals will be fleeting. But the knowledge gathered will be invaluable in the long run. Clarke did promise to ring the changes and – as he proved on Sunday to his SFA bosses by qualifying them directly into next summer’s tournament – he is nothing if not a man of his word. In midfield, Gilmour returned beside Kenny McLean, McTominay and Lewis Ferguson. It was their job to prevent the home side from cutting through at will. And that left Che Adams ploughing the frontline on his own, on a playing surface which had already been chewed up and spat back out again by the Rugby World Cup.
He helped put the attack together, linking up down the left-hand side before darting inside the box. His cutback was scrambled away by Eduardo Camavinga but the Real Madrid youngster was so rattled by it all that he succeeded only in slicing it back into Gilmour’s feet. And, without missing a step, the little man whipped it around Mike Maignan and in off the keeper’s left-hand post, McTominay-style.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Scotland reporter notebook: How Steve Clarke's side avoided stress to qualify for Euro 2024With Scotland having qualified for Euro 2024 thanks to Spain's win over Norway, Sky Sports News reporter Luke Shanley assesses the Tartan Army's qualification.
Read more »
Steve Clarke labels Scotland 'serial qualifiers' after Euro 2024 heroicsClarke is set to lead the national side into his second consecutive tournament as boss.
Read more »
Scotland’s record at major tournaments as Steve Clarke’s men seal Euro 2024 spotThe Scots will be playing at a European Championship finals for only the fourth time in their history.
Read more »
Scotland’s record at major tournaments as Steve Clarke’s men seal Euro 2024 spotThe Scots will be playing at a European Championship finals for only the fourth time in their history.
Read more »
Steve Clarke offers glimpse inside Scotland celebrations after Euro gloryThe Scots are off to Germany but the boss isn't sure Euro 2024 is ready for the Tartan Army.
Read more »
Scotland great on why Steve Clarke's men can be Euro 2024 knockoutsNOBODY needs to tell Colin Hendry how difficult it is for a team to make it through to the knockout rounds at a major tournament.
Read more »