Scotland

CLARKE IS TOO PROUD FOR HIS SIDE TO JUST MAKE UP THE NUMBERS

Don’t let anyone tell you that international football is a modern- day irrelevance. If they persist, point them in the direction of Ryan Christie’s post- match interview with Sky Sports on the night that Scotland finally ended their agonising 23- year wait to appear at a major international tournament.

For 106 seconds, the Celtic star did his best to juggle obvious exhaustion, joy and sheer relief while the tears flowed. Even the most stoic Scot would have struggled to watch it without welling up. This had been a long time coming.

The night of their play- off in Serbia was about as ‘ Scotland’ as it gets. Even though Steve Clarke’s side put in a confident, composed performance against visibly shaken opposition, and duly led through a Christie goal that looked to be enough for victory, Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic delivered a sucker- punch equaliser in stoppage time. Long- suffering Scotland supporters at home feared the worst.

And, yes, the hosts pushed hard in extra time. But Scotland stood firm, then David Marshall secured legendary status with a superb save from Aleksandar Mitrovic to settle the penalty shootout at 5- 4. Back in Scotland, there was utter pandemonium.

Football can’t do much to make up for a year of loss and sacrifice, but it has at least reaffirmed its status as the most important of the least important things. For one night, Christie & Co gave their country the gift of a priceless distraction.

Scotland’s hard- fought win in Belgrade lengthened their unbeaten stretch under Clarke to nine games – their best run in 44 years. “It’s been a very difficult time for everyone,” said the ex- Chelsea assistant, with just a hint of understatement. “We spoke about trying to make the nation smile, and hopefully we’ve done our bit.”

Clarke and his team have learned a few painful lessons on the way to Euro 2020, having tweaked the system and handed some previously unheralded players their chance to shine based on merit rather than reputation.

For all that qualification represented to Clarke, though, he’s too proud for his side to just make up the numbers this summer. Even without the Tartan Army taking over any host venue, Scotland will be out to make some noise.

And whatever happens, Christie is on post- match summaries...

LESSON FROM QUALIFYING

They learned it can be done. Scotland’s squad is as strong as it has been in years. One problem was making the pieces fit, but Clarke, a meticulous tactician, seems to have settled on a set- up that suits them. The other issue was the strain of historic failure that turned every setback into a crisis and weighed so heavily on the players. They were seriously tested against Serbia. They came through it.

STRENGTHS

Scotland’s midfield has strength in depth, with Stuart Armstrong of Southampton not guaranteed a start. Aston Villa’s John Mcginn and Manchester United’s Scott Mctominay – who may drop into defence – are complemented by the best that Celtic and Rangers have to offer, in Christie, Callum Mcgregor and Ryan Jack.

WEAKNESSES

Even with Che Adams choosing this year to represent Scotland, they lack proven goalscorers. QPR’S Lyndon Dykes has added a new dimension to the attack but he’s hardly prolific. Leigh Griffiths is so short of starts at Celtic that he didn’t even make Scotland’s 25- man squad in March.

MOST LIKELY TO...

Boost Baccara’s bank balance. The Spanish duo couldn’t have imagined that their ’ 70s disco classic Yes Sir, I Can Boogie would ever trouble the charts again, but it became Scotland’s unofficial anthem after qualification. For the origin story, Google ‘ Andy Considine’. You will not regret it.

LEAST LIKELY TO...

Unite the clans. Whatever’s going on at Euro 2020, the same tit- for- tat domestic spats will carry on at home between clubs and fans who rarely find common ground.

WHAT THEY HOPE WILL HAPPEN

Three Griffiths free- kicks are enough to see off England this time and inspire qualification to the knockout stage.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN

Scotland will exasperate and exhilarate in equal measure. No battle- hardened Tartan Army foot soldier would be surprised by a narrow loss to the Czechs and a famous win over England, setting up a do- or- die decider against Croatia.