Clarke system clicks as Dykes takes Scots to seventh heaven
National team show signs of upturn with victory over Slovakia at Hampden
WHISPER it, but Scotland just might be onto something here. Steve Clarke said after Thursday’s win over Israel that he could feel something building, and after Lyndon Dykes’ goal gave the Scots a win over Slovakia to chalk up their seventh match unbeaten in succession, it was hard to argue against the point.
This being Scotland, there will be those who will give it a go, mind you. And yes, it would be remiss not to acknowledge that the football on display is hardly the vintage of the Brazil 1970 side, and that up until they made the breakthrough in the 53rd minute, the Scots looked to have brought a butter knife to a gun fight. But the bright side of having a Euro 2020 play- off final to look forward to, and our lofty position atop this Nations League group with this win, is surely enough to warm even the most miserly of Scottish hearts.
There were always going to be changes to both sides for this one following the 120 minutes and penalties they had gone through on Thursday night, but perhaps even Scotland manager Clarke didn’t expect the Slovakians to make nine.
For his part, he settled for just the four, bringing in Andy Considine for his debut at 33, John Fleck, Kenny McLean and Ryan Fraser.
There was something of a feeling of the day after the Lord Mayor’s show given the drama and magnitude of Thursday night’s penalty shootout win over Israel, and with the atmosphere inside the stadium more Queen’s Park at home in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup than Hampden Park on a big international night, the Scots had to rouse themselves for the occasion.
Early on at least, the adrenaline seemed to still be coarsing through Scottish veins, as they forced a series of corners that weren’t always dealt with comfortably by the visiting defence. Dykes came closest to piercing their resistance, forcing the ball on target through a melee of bodies, only to see his effort hooked off the line. Though, an infringement had been spotted in any case.
The next opportunity didn’t arrive until 10 minutes before the break as that early momentum rather petered out, Stephen O’Donnell picking up the scraps on the edge of the Slovakian area and snatching a leftfoot shot wide.
The main source of entertainment in fact at this stage was guessing which way Italian referee Davide Massa might give any one of a number of clear- looking infringements, with his decision to award a free- kick against Ryan Fraser for handball after the winger was clearly bundled over a particular doozy.
It had been an improved showing from the Scots in the opening 45 minutes than they showed in the fraught spectacle of Thursday evening, but even still, the blunt edge to the attack would once more have been a cause for concern for Clarke at the interval. Not for long though. Dykes had been impressive throughout the night winning flick- ons and holding the ball up, but he showed he can provide a much- needed goal threat too as he latched onto a lovely dink from O’Donnell to steal in and slide home from six yards to give Scotland the lead eight minutes after the restart. It might have been the Scots’ first shot on target of the night, in fact, all week for that matter, but the important stat was that they were ahead and well on their way to securing
another morale- boosting victory.
The football thereafter was sharper too, with Fraser – who had been the main threat for the Scots all night – putting in a peach of a cross that substitute Oli McBurnie headed off the crossbar with the aid of a touch from Slovakian keeper Dusan Kuciak. A touch not spotted by the consistently hapless officials.
By this time though, the hosts were well in control, and were actually playing some really decent stuff to provide encouragement for the future.
Having made Scotland hard to beat first and foremost, there may just be a hint that Clarke is slowly coaxing a tune out of the undoubted talent his squad possesses at the other end too.
Heady times indeed. Another win over the Czechs on Wednesday night, and the Tartan Army may just have reason to dream again.