Late Lawrence Shankland goal keeps Scotland’s table-topping hopes alive
On an ill-tempered occasion when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia reminded onlookers what a pity it would be if he does not feature in Euro 2024, Lawrence Shankland issued his own “don’t you forget about me” message.
Shankland was not named in Steve Clarke’s original squad for the fixtures with Georgia and Norway. An injury to Ché Adams meant the Hearts striker, fresh from two goals at Motherwell on Saturday, received a belated call. With Scotland trailing 2-1 in the dying stages in Tbilisi, Clarke turned towards Shankland.
A 92nd-minute header from the substitute snatched a point and ensured this was not to be Kvaratskhelia’s evening after all.
Shankland’s intervention can only boost his hopes of a ticket to Germany next summer. Scotland lack difference makers in the final third; Shankland is unlikely to run away from the best defenders in Europe but he has the capacity to outfox them.
That Scotland’s qualification was secured last month meant this clash was not particularly relevant for the visitors. Ninety sevenNinety-seven minutes proved why Scotland had always been keen to ensure this was the case. Still, Clarke was anxious to avoid defeat in his 50th game in charge. Without Shankland’s touch, Scotland would have slipped to a fourth loss in succession. With it, they collected a qualifying point in Georgia for the first time.
Georgia could still join Scotland in the finals but must do so via a playoff route, where Kvaratskhelia promises to be a key man. It can be argued that Scotland should beat Georgia at any given point but the reality is Clarke cannot call upon a forward with anything like the talent of Napoli’s No 77.
How Kvaratskhelia would relish a Euros appearance. The finals would be better for his involvement, save ridiculous play acting that was a theme against Scotland.
Scott McTominay, the Scotland midfielder, later branded the actions of umpteen Georgia players “a disgrace.” McTominay added: “Rolling around crying like babies all the time is not football. They were provoking the referee a lot.” One was left to ponder what on earth the behaviour of Willy Sagnol’s team would have been like in a match with true meaning.
It was Kvaratskhelia who fired Georgia deservedly in front during an early period in which Scotland were ponderous. Greg Taylor failed to intercept a pass to Otar Kakabadze, with the defender’s low cross flicked home by Kvaratskhelia.
Only a fine Zander Clark save from Levan Shengelia prevented Georgia from doubling their lead within the first quarter. Scotland’s flat performance was typified by Lyndon Dykes tamely heading wide from a free-kick.
Doubtless fuelled by some sharp Clark sentiment, Scotland were much brighter after the break. McTominay collected a Kenny McLean pass to slot home his seventh goal of this qualifying campaign – the same haul as Harry Kane – to draw the Scots level. Suddenly the absence of Kieran Tierney, Andy Robertson, Adams and Angus Gunn – all injured – felt irrelevant.
Georgia fired back, with the scorer of their second goal no surprise. Scotland were overly generous in leaving Kvaratskhelia lurking on Georgia’s left wing, from where he jinked through the defence and slammed beyond the helpless Clark.
Dykes and Lewis Ferguson had headers saved, with Clarke sending for
Shankland four minutes before the end of regulation time. Soon, the striker was evading the home defence to meet Stuart Armstrong’s floated cross.
It will be no shock if Shankland features for considerably longer when Norway visit Hampden Park to close out Group A on Sunday. Shankland has two goals in six Scotland appearances but those have been fleeting. “I knew it was just being in and around the goal and hopefully a chance would come,” said Shankland. “We were chasing the game, it was important to come from behind twice.”
Shankland had a single opportunity and took it. Clarke will have taken note. Scotland’s manager will also be glad to see the back of Georgia; for the time being, at least.