Scotland suffer another miserable defeat to Portugal
Scotland ended a difficult week in no better shape following a 3-1 defeat to Portugal in their low-key friendly at Hampden Park.
Alex McLeish made six changes to the side which performed abysmally in the 2-1 Nations League defeat to Israel on Thursday night and they performed competently in a half-full stadium only for debutant Helder Costa to score for the visitors just before the break.
However, the 2016 European Championship winners, who had an even more unfamiliar look about them, doubled their lead in the 73rd minute through Eder before Bruma fired in a third with six minutes remaining with Steven Naismith scoring at the death to put a better sheen on the scoreline.
Scotland face Albania away and Israel at home next month in their final Nations League Group C1 games and McLeish, whose side have three points from two games, will have to find some answers if they are to reach the play-offs, which offer the chance of reaching the 2020 European Championships. Personnel change was forced upon McLeish as his back-three - John Souttar, Charlie Mulgrew and Kieran Tierney - were unavailable.
Craig Gordon, Scott McKenna, Jack Hendry, Stuart Armstrong, James Forrest and Oli McBurnie were brought into the side which was set out in a 4-4-2 formation.
Portugal were without Cristiano Ronaldo, midfielder Bernardo Silva and defender Pepe. Only defender Cedric and Ruben Dias retained their places from Thursday’s 3-2 win away to Poland in the Nations League.