HAMPDEN DEADLOCK

Scotland lead but can’t hold on against Israel –

Scotland and Israel may be becoming familiar foes but a 1-1 draw at an empty Hampden Park saw them yet to land a knockout blow.

Ryan Christie’s first-half penalty had put Scotland in front in their opening Nations League game in the 2020 campaign, only for Eran Zahavi to scrub any chances of a home win with a decisive finish.

By the end of November the two sides will have played each other three times in five years, with next month’s rematch in Glasgow pivotal for Scotland’s hopes of qualifying for the European Championships.

Both Steve Clarke and Andy Robertson stressed little would be gleaned from this match when the two nations face-off again in October and they may well prove to be right. But both they and the rest of the Scotland squad will be desperate for an improved display – and result – next time around.

Steve Clarke handed Lyndon Dykes his first start, playing Christie and John McGinn off him in a front three as the national team boss shifted to a back three comprised of Kieran Tierney, Scott McKenna and

Scott McTominay. Scotland had been out of action for nearly 10 months prior to last night, with their last game at Hampden coming in the 3-1 win over Kazakhstan last November. It is going to be a case of feast after the famine for Clarke and his players, with a potential seven further games before the year is out if they reach the final of European Championship play-offs.

When Oli McBurnie and Lawrence Shankland both withdrew through fitness concerns, there appeared little doubt Dykes would be the man to lead the line. It has been quite the rise for the Australian-born forward, who hails from the Gold Coast and only returned to play football in Scotland with Queen of the South in 2016. In a Hampden sapped of any atmosphere, owing to the empty stands, there was a need for Scotland to provide their own motivation. With James Forrest playing ostensibly as a right wingback, he was the target for diagonal balls in behind the Israel left-back Taleb Tawatha. It was expected then that McTominay would peel across and cover for him on the right side of the back three.

T he trio kept Israel ’s front three quiet but there was precious little in the way of chances at goal. Scotland probably should have had a penalty on 28 minutes when Taleb Tawatha barged into John McGinn, however referee Slavko Vincic blew for a foul by McGinn as he tumbled into Eytan Tibi.

Moments after David Marshall kept Scotland level with a smart stop from Munas Dabbur’s header, the home side sneaked in front before the break. McGinn attempted to collect Dykes’ knock-down but was caught by Tibi, with Vincic this time pointing to the spot. Christie calmly tucked his penalty beyond Ofir Marciano’s grasp.

The goal appeared to give Scotland a little bit more freedom and the ball was moved with a bit more urgency in the second period. Dykes in particular grew into the game, with his ability to hold up the ball but also draw fouls proving a valuable commodity. What it needed though was more

direct runners off him for through balls, with Andy Robertson often Scotland’s most advanced player off the left-flank.

They did not a play like a side that has totally clicked, which is understandable given so long without a game and the change in system, but they appeared to have the game under control. That was until Zahavi was allowed space to collect Tawatha’s throw-in, bounce a pass off Dabbur and continue his run into the area. His finish was impressive, crashing it high into the net as he tumbled to the ground, but question had to be asked how he was able to advance under little pressure.

It meant that after effectively settling into a solid pattern, without being too comfortable, they had to reset again with greater impetus to tr y to seize something more significant than a point.

But aside from Christie’s

hopeful cross, which was gleefully clutched by Marciano, little opportunity presented itself for Scotland to right that wrong.

SCOTLAND (3-4-2-1) – Marshall 6; McTominay 6, McKenna 6, Tierney 6, Forrest 6, Jack 5, McGregor 6, Robertson 6, Christie 6,

McGinn 6 (Armstrong 79), Dykes 7 (Burke 74). Subs not used – McLaughlin, McCrorie, Palmer, O’Donnell, Gallagher, Cooper, Taylor, McLean, Armstrong, Fleck, Paterson.

ISRAEL (4-3-3) – Marciano 6; Dasa 6, Tibi 5, Bitton 5, Tawatha 6, Elhamed 6, Natcho 6, Peretz (Cohen

73) 5, Solomon 6 (Glazer 90), Dabbur 7 ( Weissman 79), Zahavi 6. Subs not used – Harush, Nitzan, Dgani, Yeini, Arad, Almog, Elmkies, Abu Hanna, Rikan. Attendance – 0 Referee – Slavko Vincic (Slovenia) 6.

Man of the match – Lyndon Dykes.

SPOT ON: Ryan Christie opened the scoring from the penalty spot just before half-time

Above: Christie celebrates his opener before, below, Zahavi equalises for Israel