BT FOR SCOTS
Marshall gives all credit to manager
of the outstretched Nemanja Maksimovic and into the net off the inside of the right post.
Taking the lead eased the tension and lifted Scotland. McGregor went close from long range and Christie almost added another. Yes, Milinkovic-Savic hit the side netting with a header. But Marshall had it covered if he had been on target.
Then disaster struck. It was a brutal finale for Scotland. Their unexpected leveller visibly lifted Serbia. Marshall did brilliantly to palm a Nemanja Gudelj volley away in the ninth minute of extra time. He would be the hero at the very end too. Euro 2020 here we come.
SCOTLAND hero David Marshall says manager Steve Clarke and captain Andy Robertson deserve all the credit after the penalty shootout win in Serbia that saw the nation qualify for Euro 2020.
Marshall was the toast of the Tartan Army after saving the 10th penalty of the shootout from Aleksandar Mitrovic after nine were scored, giving the Scots their second shoot-out win in succession.
The goalkeeper was quick to share around the praise though as he gave an emotional address, saying the head coach and skipper were the key men who lifted Scotland after the heartache of losing a last-gasp equaliser.
“It was never going to be easy,” Marshall said. “The first hour of the game we were completely dominant but the second goal just wasn’t coming.
“I’m lost for words about how well the lads did to cope with that pressure when they got the equaliser. The manager, the players, Robbo all speaking [before the shoot-out] just changed the mentality. The last three or four games have given us that winning belief. I don’t know how we did it. We deserved it after the first half
I’m just so happy.”
Ryan Christie, who got the opener for Scotland, was fighting back tears as he dedicated the win to the nation.
“It was just amazing,” Christie said. “In the last couple of camps we’ve picked up so much belief in each other. The penalties were probably the worst thing I’ve ever been through.
“It’s for the whole nation. It’s been a horrible year for everyone, and we knew coming into the game we could give a little something to this country. I hope everyone back home is having a party tonight, because we deserve it.” especially.