McGregor: We knew if we stuck to the plan, we could turn the match
THE concept of imposing your game on an opponent is fine in theory yet rarely so straightforward in practice. Man-for-man at Hampden on Saturday, Scotland were superior to the Republic of Ireland in every department. Or at least, they ought to have been.
Steve Clarke started with seven players from the English Premier League plus the likes of Craig Gordon and Callum McGregor.
By contrast, Stephen Kenny’s line-up included just three players currently plying their trade in England’s top flight, with the bulk coming from Wigan, Derby, Burnley and the like.
For long enough, however, there was no evidence of any disparity in technical ability. To their credit, by doing all they possibly could to knock Scotland out of their stride, Ireland ensured this was the case.
An opening half that was fast, furious and physical was everything the visitors had hoped it would be. It was a textbook example of how to stifle and frustrate a side with more to offer.
When John Egan punished Scotland’s failure to clear their lines from a corner, Ireland’s battlehardened defenders and scuffling midfielders had something tangible to hang on to.
Finding their supply lines to Lyndon Dykes smartly cut off, Scotland were lacking rhythm and cohesion. They could have been forgiven for feeling that this was just going to be one of those nights.
‘We spoke about things at halftime as we never quite got going in the first half,’ conceded Celtic midfielder McGregor. ‘But we knew if we stuck to the principles of the game and what we tried to do in the match (it would turn around).’
With Ireland evidently tiring, Clarke’s players rigidly stuck with the plan.
While Ryan Fraser’s introduction brought some welcome width, the victory could largely be attributed to those who had started the game belatedly reaching their optimum levels.
There was never any sense of panic. By finally imposing their game on the Irish, Scotland’s quality was always likely to come out on top.
Coming after Jack Hendry’s headed equaliser, Ryan Christie’s penalty conversion was Scotland’s reward for holding their nerve.
‘That comes with experience and being in these types of situations before,’ added McGregor. ‘When you are losing you are desperate to get back into the game and you maybe start doing stuff that isn’t in the plan.
‘But you have a plan for a reason and if you stay calm and you see the picture clearly, you know where you can hurt them.
‘You have to trust yourself to get back into the game by doing the right things and not becoming emotional as it is 1-0 at half-time.’
If the overall display didn’t quite hit the heights of their demolition of Ukraine last Wednesday, there was still plenty to admire as Clarke’s men manoeuvred their way out of a tight corner.
After losing to the same two opponents in June, the hope is that the past week has seen Scotland demonstrate their true worth.
The prize for avoiding defeat in Krakow tomorrow is difficult to understate. Not only would it guarantee the insurance of a play-off place to Euro 2024, there is the kudos of winning a taxing Nations League group and promotion to the elite League A.
While it would be folly to underestimate Ukraine on the basis of their underwhelming display in Glasgow last week, Scotland have to feel emboldened by how they performed on the night.
The fact that only a point is required from a game being staged in a neutral venue has to be further grounds for optimism.
‘We have to go to Poland and continue with the intent we have had in the last two games,’ said McGregor. ‘We have to be aggressive and keep calm heads on Tuesday night and use all the experience we have.
‘There are a lot of experienced boys in the squad and we have to galvanise the group.
‘We know what we need to do to win the group and we will be going there to win the game. We need to do all the good things we have done so far in this camp.
‘It’s about making sure we go in there with a positive mindset.’