Down but not out – and the Tartan Army can still play a recovery role

The long-awaited return of the Hampden Roar provided an atmosphere of optimism but there was ultimate disappointment for the Tartan Army on Scotland’s return to major tournament football after 23 years.

Such was the stoked up passion that the Scotland players were loudly cheered when they emerged for their pre-match warm-up.

It was a warm-up in more ways than one, as it served as only a prelude for the noise which bellowed around the national stadium during Flower of Scotland ahead of kick-off. It was hard to believe that only 9,847 supporters were present.

The outpouring of emotion was nothing short of what was to be expected. Not only did it mark an end to Scotland’s long absence from a major finals, but it was also the national team’s first outing in front of a Hampden crowd since a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan in November 2019. This was truly a nation in anticipation.

From the media gantry, it was difficult not to get caught up in the fervour, so we can only begin to imagine how the players felt, knowing they were carrying on their shoulders the hopes of the whole country.

There were early signs that the sense of occasion was distracting the Scotland players – with skipper Andy Robertson more than once urging some of his team-mates to calm down.

Scotland settled into their stride, though, and looked more than a match for the Czech Republic players as the first half wore on.

That made the Czechs’ opening goal all the more galling, with Patrik Schick’s brilliant header before halftime causing Hampden to briefly fall silent.

It was only for a matter of seconds, however, as the Tartan Army typically rallied. Early in the second half Scotland created a flurry of chances.

It offered cause for hope that we would soon be on level terms – but then Schick, the man from Bayer Leverkusen, struck again with a spectacular second goal in 52 minutes.

But at that stage it was far from over.

Opportunities continued to come Scotland’s way, with Lyndon Dykes, Stuart Armstrong and James Forrest denied.

In the end, however, there was not even as much as a consolation goal for the home crowd to celebrate.

The defeat already leaves Scotland’s prospects of reaching the knockout stages for the first time dangling by a thread but Steve Clarke’s men will be able to count on a renewed backing from the supporters who will be at Wembley to cheer them on against England on Friday.

With any positive result in London setting up an allto-play for finish to the group campaign against Croatia at Hampden, the Tartan Army will hope they still have a role to play

Should Scotland fall short, one of the uplifting factors will be the likelihood that crowds are back to stay in greater numbers as the nation’s Covid-19 vaccination programme gathers pace.

Matches played over the last 12 months have laid bare just how crucial the fans are to football and it is difficult to imagine a situation in which their absence is more keenly felt than Hampden internationals.

There is disappointment at the outcome of the first game, but there is still a chance, and a side still clearly growing under Steve Clarke should need no more motivation than England at Wembley.

Return of the Roar.