Dykes strikes late to rescue sluggish Scots
STEVE CLARKE used the hairdryer treatment on his Scotland players at the weekend. He could have done with a blowtorch this time. Yes, their World Cup destiny remains in their own hands but they will have to do far better with their feet next month if they are to clinch a play-off spot. This game against the lowly Faroes was headed for an embarrassing draw when Lyndon Dykes scored in his fourth straight qualifier four minutes from time. Not that the Queens Park Rangers striker knew too much about it when Nathan Patterson’s cross was deflected on to his shoulder and into the net. Just like Scott McTominay’s injury-time bundle to steal a crucial 3-2 win over Israel on Saturday, this was an ugly goal yet a beautiful sight. A lengthy VAR check followed — there was a suspicion of handball — but the win means another against Moldova in their next fixture will guarantee a play-off spot. But goodness, a repeat of this display in Chisinau and they will return empty-handed ahead of their final group match against leaders Denmark. Skipper Andy Robertson said: ‘Probably the less said about the performance the better. We weren’t at our best. In the first half, they won every second ball. We were poor. Maybe we had a wee bit of a hangover from the emotion of Saturday.’ Clarke had said there was ‘no chance’ of Scotland being guilty of complacency. He was wrong, and ‘no chances’ just about summed up a woeful first half from his side. To make it to the break goalless was something of a victory for the Scots. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon had perhaps ventured to the Faroes expecting a quiet night. Come half-time he certainly needed a dark, quiet room in which to lie down, such was his exertion. Gordon was the sole reason Scotland remained in the game. The Faroes should have been out of sight. Joan Edmundsson fluffed an early chance when unmarked 12 yards out. His team-mate Ari Jonsson made a far truer connection when arriving on the edge of the six-yard area soon after but Gordon saved. The danger was not over and the veteran keeper scrambled to his feet before blocking Viljormur Davidsen’s follow-up. The Faroes came back for more and Brandur Hendriksson tested Gordon with a tasty free-kick just before the interval. The second half was better for Scotland and there are no extra points for aesthetics. Another vital win moves them one step closer to Qatar 2022. ‘It was a tough night,’ said Clarke. ‘They made us nervous at times. We had to rely on Craig Gordon and had to grind it out. ‘But let’s not be too sad about it. It’s six points this month and four wins in a row.’ SCOTLAND (3-5-2): GORDON 7.5; Hendry 5 (McGregor 68min, 6), Hanley 5, Tierney 6; Fraser 5 (Patterson 83), McTominay 6, Gilmour 6 (Cooper 89), McGinn 5.5, Robertson 6; Dykes 7, Christie 6 (Nisbet 83). Scorer: Dykes 86. Booked: McTominay, Christie, Dykes. Manager: Steve Clarke 5. Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia) 7.