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McLeish can’t stop rot as Scots follow
Naismith
Helder Costa Tue Na Bangna Macedo Lopes
SCOTLAND’S Haifa hangover became a full-on Hampden headache as Portugal’s second string left Alex McLeish sick.
It is now three defeats from three friendlies at the national stadium for Big Eck – and only Steven Naismith with the last kick of the match saved his side’s losing run from being goalless too.
If the manager was hoping for a stirring performance to wipe away the memory of the nightmare in Israel three days ago he was sorely disappointed.
A turgid second-half display saw the experimental Portugal side run away with the game.
Yet Scotland started brightly, Callum McGregor and Andy Robertson looking positive on the left flank. Stuart Armstrong’s return in the middle of the park also added composure and a creative spark.
McLeish opted for a back four, presumably with injury depriving him of the three defenders who started in Haifa, Jack Hendry and Scott McKenna forming the central partnership yesterday.
Portugal changed all but one of the starting line-up that beat Poland in midweek, with Benfica defender Ruben Dias the only survivor.
It was the away side who came closest to finding the net in the early stages – their own.
A quick free-kick sent James Forrest scampering down the right and his deflected cross was met by midfielder Sergio Oliveira, who inexplicably headed towards the Portugal goal from six yards.
Keeper Beto was on his toes and flicked the ball over the bar.
Boss Fernando Santos had warned his players to be wary of the passionate Scottish support SCOTLAND: PORTUGAL: REFEREE: but the only thing that might have spooked the visitors here was the eerie silence in the stadium.
The Tartan Army needed something to raise them from their slumber yet it was Portugal who could have gone ahead after 27 minutes when Bruma latched onto a Jack Hendry error but his shot was deflected wide.
Scotland were producing some bright play and one such move saw Naismith flick a Forrest cross past Beto but just wide of the far post.
Craig Gordon was called into action on 40 minutes to parry an effort from Eder, but Portugal were ahead three minutes later.
Kevin Rodrigues was granted far too much room on the left and his drilled low cross evaded everyone at the front post before being knocked home from two yards by Helder Costa, who nipped in ahead of Robertson.
Scotland came out after the break with a hunger to get back on level terms and McKenna should have done better on 53 minutes than to put his header wide from just eight yards.
Portugal doubled their lead in the 74th minute, and it was another defensive disaster for the hosts.
A routine freekick was swung to the back post where three Portugal players evaded their markers to challenge O’Donnell, with Eder winning the battle to head home.
Santos’ side kept the best for last when Bruno Fernandes split the home defence with a perfectly weighted ball through to Bruma after Hendry was caught out upfield.
He cut in from the left and unleashed an unstoppable right footed effort past a bewildered Gordon.
The small pocket of Portuguese fans rose to acclaim their hero. The Tartan Army streamed towards the exits.
Naismith grabbed a consolation in injury time following a neat back-heel by sub Gary MackaySteven but the cheers of the home fans seemed as much in irony as anything.
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