Strachan looks at positives
GORDON Strachan claimed last night that his Scotland team had produced their best football in some time as they dropped points at home to Lithuania in a disappointing World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park.
The national team manager is under some pressure. A defeat to Slovakia on Tuesday would make qualification for Russia in 2018 a huge task, and there will be many who would want to see a change.
After the 1-1 draw, Strachan was adamant his side had been unlucky and said he always felt a win was coming, despite James McArthur scoring the equaliser with just a few minutes remaining. He was also full of praise for Chris Martin, preferred to Leigh Griffiths and Steven Fletcher, which will surprise most supporters.
Strachan said: “I thought the first half was a game from the English Championship when the ball was put from one end to the other. It is very hard to play when the ball is up in the air. You have to be brave and on top form.
“In the second half we played well, really well, the best we have played in a long time. It was far better than the four friendlies, that’s for sure. We made more chances than we did in Malta, it was exciting stuff at times, and to drag themselves back after that body blow [Lithuania’s goal], was terrific. There were a lot of chances, the ball was cleared off the line, there could have been a handball – it could be a good point in the end.”
Asked where the draw leaves Scotland, Strachan said: “We are second in the group. That is where it leaves us.”
This will not go down well with the supporters who vented their frustration at the final whistle.
Asked about the midweek game, Strachan said: “Yes, definitely [Scotland have to take something]. It can be done. We will shake it up a wee bit, that’s for sure, but there were some great performances. I thought Chris Martin was fantastic, Barry Bannan was terrific as well, so there was a lot of good stuff from individual players. Some will want to play a bit better but their effort and character was good.”
When it was put to Strachan that many felt his team were lucky to take a point, he said: “I think you can tell by my face. I don’t see the lucky bit. I think it was the other way about. I think we were unlucky. I thought we would win, even that late on.”
David Marshall: Not a lot to do in the first half, but produced a fine low save early in the second period. Could do nothing at Lithuania goal. 6
Callum Paterson: Struggled to get much of an understanding going with Burke on the right, and lucky not to be booked for wild lunge. Always willing to get forward, though, and his long throw lead to the equaliser. 6
Russell Martin: Was coping well with the little threat that Lithuania had offered, but was posted missing when opened the scoring and again later as Scots were lucky to escape being carved open. 5
Grant Hanley: Unlucky to be booked, but then got far too tight to his man and was turned too easily at Lithuania’s goal. He then let visitors in again all too easily, but got a vital flick for the equaliser. 5
Andy Robertson: Caught ahead of the ball a few times but good going forward and crossed superbly to create a great chance for Martin. 6
Darren Fletcher: Subdued performance from the captain on his
75th Scotland appearance. Unable to put his stamp on the game and replaced by McArthur at half-time. 5
Barry Bannan: Tried to get his foot on the ball and passing was generally good, but her struggled to unlock a packed defence. 6
Matt Ritchie: Wasteful in possession a number of times and often turned into trouble but set-piece delivery was decent. Replaced by Griffiths with 20 minutes left. 5 Robert Snodgrass: Tasked with providing a touch of magic in behind
Martin but man billed as Scotland’s talisman wasn’t really involved enough. 6
Oliver Burke: Quiet early on, leading to a switch of sides. Had some forceful runs, but touch let him down. Not involved enough and replaced by Forrest after 57 minutes. 6
Chris Martin: Held the ball up well and brought others into play. Was unlucky as his glancing header early in the second half dropped wide. 6 Substitutes James McArthur: Replaced Darren Fletcher at the break in an effort to inject some energy into proceedings and competed well in the middle of the park. Got the all-important equaliser with a clever header. 7
James Forrest: Came on for Burke and had a glorious chance to level, only to send his half-volley off target. Otherwise, contributed little. 4
Leigh Griffiths: Thrown on in an attempt to save the night with 20 minutes remaining and missed a golden chance as he put a free header straight at the goalkeeper. 4