The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Let’s stop negativity and appreciate what’s good
Scotland were on a hiding to nothing as they faced Euro Group I whipping boys San Marino at Hampden on Sunday.
After the disappointing 4-0 defeat against Russia, they were still expected to win comfortably at the national stadium and they did just that – hitting the minnows for six without reply.
However, as ever in this country, it seems some people are only happy when they are producing negativity and moaning.
To be fair, Scotland keeper Jon McLaughlan didn’t have a direct save to make against San Marino but you still need to shape up and go and break them down.
People seem to think these things are just formalities but I thought we actually played quite well considering the horrendous wet conditions.
I know it was only San Marino but there was definitely pressure on the Scotland lads after the Russia game.
They did so well for an hour in that match in Moscow and then kind of capitulated so they had to produce a big response against San Marino.
Critics are all too quick to pick up on the negatives so let’s take some positives from the game.
For once, we have played well and Steve Clarke has freshened up the squad.
There is nothing to stop these boys from playing the next couple of games and seeing where it takes us.
One of the new faces was Dundee United’s Lawrence Shankland and he certainly did not look out of place on the international stage.
He is a proven goalscorer and it was great for him to get game time against Russia and then play the full 90 against San Marino.
It was a big bonus for him netting his goal on Sunday as it takes any pressure he might have been feeling off him altogether.
I have obviously seen him play up close against Arbroath and you can see his quality.
There are not many good centreforwards going about in Scotland so Lawrence fully deserved his chance and hopefully he can kick on now.
He was prolific at Ayr and he is doing the same for Dundee United which is credit to him as he is much more than just a scorer.
He is a hard worker but you want him in the box. There is no point in a top striker doing all his work outside the penalty area.
John McGinn scored a hat-trick and at the other end of the park, we got a clean sheet so it was all positive.
It is important that we build on that result in the next two games against Cyprus and Kazakhstan.
On paper there is little at stake but Scotland need to keep building momentum going into the Euro playoffs next March.
There is so much doom and gloom surrounding the game in this country but there was the Scotland under-19s beating Germany on Tuesday night with Dundee’s on-loan Rangers winger Josh McPake scoring the winner.
That gives further hope things can turn around.
As a nation, we have been starved of success at qualifying. We are never going to win a tournament at the moment but we would just like to qualify for one to give us a bit of hope, belief and a party.
I think the Tartan Army deserve it so let’s hope Steve can do that.
Lost that winning feeling
Arbroath’s recent run of defeats continued last Saturday as we lost out to Clyde in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup tie.
All credit to Danny Lennon’s side as they played well with David Goodwillie the big difference. He is one of the best I have seen this season.
It is the first time since I joined Arbroath that we have lost four in a row so we need to get back at it.
Morton in the league this weekend is a big game for us but we are looking forward to it and we are at home.
We are probably the underdogs again but we will just get on with it, roll up the sleeves and hopefully return to winning ways.
There is nothing to stop these boys from playing the next couple of games and seeing where it takes us