Scots show why this competition really matters
THIS is why, and where, the Nations League matters. To witness Scotland and the Republic of Ireland fight it out from first whistle until beyond the last — literally, given the postgame scuffle — was to understand why this format holds value. The best football we witness involves jeopardy. It is why play-off finals and tournament semi-finals produce the most exciting matches. The journey, and not the destination, is the fun part. And, in Nations League B, the stakes are high. For those countries for whom appearances at major finals are not a given — Scotland and Ireland have one apiece in 10 years — this competition offers a genuine pathway. It does not feel this way for the top nations, of course, but for the teams beneath League A, these are de facto qualifiers.
Scotland’s win in front of a soldout and puffed-out Hampden Park — the locals gave every breath in their team’s recovery from a goal down — means a draw against Ukraine in Poland tomorrow will see them promoted to League A. The reward? Second seeds in the qualifying draw for Euro 2024 and the guarantee of a play-off place if not progressing automatically. That is why back-to-back victories over Ukraine and Ireland in Glasgow in recent days have seen celebrations compared to some of their greatest nights. But the enthusiasm of the Tartan Army is also in recognition of the progress their side has made under Steve Clarke. They are not going to the World Cup, but you bet they would have been had their play-off match against Ukraine not been delayed from March until June. They had won six straight qualifiers last autumn but, come the summer, momentum had stalled. This is their recovery mission, and how brilliant they have been in the past few days. Their first-half showing on Saturday was below par and Ireland deservedly led at the break through John Egan. But for all the cliches of spirit and fight — yes, Scotland have both — they also boast real quality. That was evident when Bournemouth winger Ryan Christie skipped by Matt Doherty to lay on the equalising goal for Jack Hendry. It was fitting that star-man Christie then scored the penalty to win it eight minutes from time after a needless handball by Alan Browne.
Amid that there were eight yellow cards, two angry melees, some brilliant goalkeeping and tension right until the end. This is why, and where, the Nations League matters.