McLeish booed as Scots labour again
The Tartan Army booed Scotland boss Alex McLeish as his side laboured to a euro 2020 qualifying win over San Marino, who are rated the worst international team in the world.
Scotland’s near-3,000 travelling fans chanted ‘F*** the SFA’, ‘Sack the board’ and jeered the team from the pitch at the interval and full-time. McLeish defended his players, saying that they ‘are only human’ after they failed to build on Kenny McLean’s fourthminute headed opener.
even when Johnny Russell doubled the lead in the 74th minute, the fans still showed disquiet. Scotland’s dismal 3-0 defeat by Kazakhstan on Thursday in their qualifying opener was made to look worse still when Group I rivals Russia won 4-0 in Kazakhstan yesterday.
Asked about the booing, McLeish said: ‘That’s football. I think the fans were frustrated that we never kicked on from the first goal. It’s been a difficult weekend for us. We knew 1-0, 2-0 was not going to be looked at in a good light, but it was important to win after the disappointment in Kazakhstan.
‘everybody’s hurting and we never quite got the avalanche of goals everybody was looking for. There’s reasons for that. There was a little bit of agitation when we didn’t get the second goal. The players got a bit nervy. They are only human.’
Scotland’s next qualifier is against Cyprus at hampden in June, with McLeish calling on the fans to ‘stick with the team’.
The manager made six changes, including picking Callum Paterson — a midfielder for Cardiff and a right back for his country in November — as his main striker.
Scotland started with verve and McLean came close with a 20-yard volley before glancing home Ryan Fraser’s cross and settling the nerves.
But the early high tempo soon tailed off. There was a scare for Scotland on the half-hour when Jose hirsch got between Scotland’s centre backs and went round keeper Scott Bain, but he shot into the side netting.
Scotland were labouring and the introduction of Scott McTominay did little to change things.
James Forrest replaced Armstrong in the 71st minute and soon set up Russell on the break to net from close range, with McNulty assisting by setting the Celtic winger free and leaving his low cross.
SAN MARINO: Benedettini, Battistini, Simoncini (Lunadei 86), Cevoli, Palazzi, Mularoni, Golinucci, Golinucci, Hirsch (Grandoni 78), Berardi, Vitaioli (Nanni 61).
Subs not used: Zavoli, Cesarini, Battistini, Giardi, Benedettini, Brolli, Rinaldi, Censoni, Tomassini. Booked: Berardi.
SCOTLAND: Bain, O’Donnell, Bates, McKenna, Robertson, McLean, McGregor (McTominay 57), Russell, Armstrong (Forrest 71), Fraser, Paterson (McNulty 37). Subs not used: McLaughlin, Palmer, Souttar, Fleck, McGinn, Shinnie, Burke, Kelly, McBurnie. Scorers: McLean 4, Russell 74. Booked: McTominay.
Referee: Manuel Schuttengruber (Aut).