Scots will ‘stick together’ after Irish demolition

CRAIG Gordon insists Scotland’s players will stick together after being “well outplayed in every aspect of the game” in their 3-0 drubbing by the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.

Steve Clarke’s side went into the Nations League encounter at the Aviva Stadium with some confidence following their opening Group B1 win over Armenia at Hampden Park.

The Irish, conversely, had lost their first two fixtures to Armenia and Ukraine and had not won a Nations League match in 12 attempts but it all went right for Stephen Kenny’s side and it all went wrong for the Scots.

A bundled-in goal from Alan Browne and a Troy Parrott header gave the dominant home side a deserved interval lead and Michael Obafemi – making his first international start – powered in a third early in the second half to quash any hopes of a comeback.

The 2,500-strong Tartan Army vented their displeasure at the end of the game and some will travel to Yerevan for tomorrow’s match against Armenia with veteran Hearts goalkeeper Gordon looking for Scotland to make amends.

He told STV: “It was a big disappointment. The manner of it as well.

“At times we will get beat but certainly Saturday wasn’t the way to get beat.

“We were well outplayed in every aspect of the game.

“That’s the most disappointing part. So yeah, we have to stick together as a group.

“We realise they’re not happy (fans), we’re not happy either, nobody wants to get beat.

“But we will stick together as a group of players and go out and try and win the next game.”

Scotland head coach Steve Clarke.