Crucial win for Scotland as they see off Austria

Steve Clarke called for more respect from critics after Scotland pulled off a terrific 1-0 victory over Austria last night to boost their 2022 World Cup qualifying hopes.

After a 2-0 defeat at runaway Group F leaders Denmark and a narrow 1-0 win over Moldova at Hampden Park, it was taken as read that the Scots needed at least one point in Vienna to stay in the hunt with their opponents and Israel for a play-off spot.

However, striker Lyndon Dykes scored a VAR-awarded penalty in the 29th minute – his second goal in two games after his winner against Moldova at the weekend – to secure three crucial points which took Scotland into second, a point ahead of Israel who lost 5-0 against the Danes and visit Hampden next month.

Clarke said: “Some people in the country do not really believe in this group of players, but I do.

“I love my players, I trust them everywhere we go. We know we are a good team and a good group. We are looking forward to getting a full house at Hampden for our next game and the Tartan Army will be right behind us.

“It was no surprise to me (the result). They are a really good group of players who want to be successful for their country and they showed that tonight. So it was good.

“It just means it is another cup final (against Israel). You have to keep picking up points. It was an important night for us to get something from the game.

“We managed to come here and put in a good performance, a good footballing performance. When we got the ball down we passed it well.

“We are not a long ball team as some people try to label us. We can play. If we have to go long we can play and fight for it. If we have to make the passes we make the passes. We deserve a little bit more respect.”

Clarke’s squad was decimated by injuries and coronavirus issues for the trip to Denmark last week and he believes Israel’s thrashing in Copenhagen puts his side’s defeat against the Euro 2020 semi-finalists into perspective.

The former West Brom and Kilmarnock boss said: “We had the most difficult week, really difficult.

“We went to Denmark which is a tough place to go to start with, we had a lot of injuries and problems.

“We went down 2-0 early in the game, we dug in and got criticised for that actually. Israel went there tonight and lost 5-0.

“Then on the back of that we knew we had to get something out of the next two games and we have come away with six points.

“If I had said to you (media) that we would have come away with six points you would have all been delighted so it was a pleasing night for us, I am really pleased for the players.”

Goalscorer Dykes said the win could prove to be “massive”. He added: “We want to get to another major tournament.

“At the Euros we felt that and we want to keep doing that. We need to keep that momentum going.

“It’s a massive thing in football. We need to keep building on that and stay together.”

PROUD AS PUNCH: Scotland head coach Steve Clarke, applauding the small band of Scotland fans after last night’s game, praised his players after a well-deserved 1-0 win in Vienna.