WORLD OF PAIN
At half-time, Scotland were dreaming of the play-offs. Yet, just 45 agonising minutes later, all we’re left with is a...
GORDON strachan last night refused to discuss his future as Scotland manager after a draw in Slovenia sunk the nation’s hopes of a World cup play-off place.
his team needed to win in the Stozice Stadium to claim one of the eight best second-place finishes in qualifying.
a superb opener by Leigh Griffiths saw them lead 1-0 at half-time, but Slovenia substitute Roman Bezjak hammered two nails into Scotland’s coffin with goals in the 52nd and 72nd minutes.
a late Robert Snodgrass leveller was not enough to prevent the Scots suffering fresh heartbreak, with hopes of their first appearance in a major finals since the 1998 World cup wrecked as they finished third behind Slovakia on goal difference.
asked if he had a decision to reach on his future as manager after a second failed campaign in charge, Strachan declined to cast any light on his plans.
‘You have to ask that question, but you
know fine well that I’m going to say I’m the last person I’m thinking about now,’ he said. ‘Players, staff and family — I want to make sure they’re all right. The players’ families have backed them up and everything else. So we are looking after them at the moment. ‘We are hurting, no one is hurting like the players, it’s impossible. ‘The fans can’t hurt like that, I can’t hurt. There shouldn’t be any talk about what I’m thinking or what I’m doing at this moment in time because I am just looking after them. ‘Me? It’s not a problem. I am proud to be their manager.’ Inevitably, Strachan will face many questions over the managerial decisions which resulted in the latest agonising failure for the national team. After four points from a possible 12 in the first four games, his revitalised side finished with 14 from the last 18 and six games unbeaten. That came as scant consolation, with Scotland’s absence from major international finals now extending beyond 20 years. Strachan admitted: ‘It’s a big disappointment, but my disappointment is nothing compared to the players. ‘You saw them at the end of the game — I don’t think I’ve seen a group of players as exhausted after a match. ‘As I said to them, they can go away and feel really proud of themselves. ‘I think some of them pushed themselves to places they didn’t think they could go.’ The Scots lost two goals to poor defending from set-pieces after having kept three clean sheets in their previous three games. Blaming genetics for a lack of height and strength to pick from, Strachan added: ‘We were against a physically stronger side, a side that hadn’t let a goal in here in this campaign. But we took the lead. ‘We just knew set-pieces would be a problem and they scored with two of them. ‘But you can’t change our genetics. I can’t just pick the biggest people in Scotland. ‘Technically, we’re fine. But our guys have to work harder to get on the ball than bigger lads at 6ft 3ins. ‘Physically, we have a problem. We seem to be able to fight it and battle it and get through just on sheer determination and skill and work rate, and that takes a lot out of you. That is what has happened tonight. ‘These guys have put so much into this. I really do feel for them. But they can also feel really pleased with themselves.’ Likely to now take time to consider his future as manager, with no immediate rush for a decision, Strachan claimed: ‘It’s an honour to be their coach. I’ve been fortunate to have been successful in my career and get to places. ‘But with all due respect to the lads I played with — some who are my mates now — this group are as good as anything I’ve worked with. ‘This group do it for nothing. They do it for their country, their families and the fans. So it’s an honour to work with them and they’re hurting badly. ‘When I look back, I think: “You have given it a right good shot,” and they left nothing in the dressing room. ‘Over the last two games especially, they gave it everything they had. ‘We’ve just been beaten in the end on goal difference to Slovakia, who are an excellent side. ‘I have never been in a dressing room as silent as that. That was a real hurting silence. I really have to thank them for the effort they have put in.’