You just move on from VAR decision, says Clarke

STEVE Clarke insists that Scotland must simply move on after Scott McTominay had a goal chalked off in a VAR check before losing 2-0 to Spain in Seville on Thursday night,

The Scots had won their first five Group A qualifiers, including a 2-0 win over the Spanish at Hampden Park in March, and they thought they had taken the lead when McTominay, who scored twice in Glasgow, fired in a wonderful freekick in the 59th minute only to see it ruled out after a VAR check for a Jack Hendry infringement.

Alvaro Morata subsequently headed in after 73 minutes and substitute Oihan Sancet, making his debut for Spain, added a second in the 86th minute to leave Group A leaders Scotland three points ahead of their opponents having played a game more.

Clarke’s men face France in a friendly in Lille next Tuesday, but Spain face Norway in Oslo two days earlier and if the Norwegians drop points, Scotland’s place in Germany will be secured while the Scots also have Georgia to play away and Norway at home in November.

“The team played well and the players are disappointed,” said Clarke, who confirmed skipper Andy Robertson will go back to Liverpool for treatment on a shoulder injury which saw him replaced by Nathan Patterson just before the break.

“We came here determined to qualify. It hasn’t happened tonight but I think there was a lot to be pleased about in the performance.

“The big moment in the game is probably the close decision on the Scott McTominay goal.

“At the time we think it is a goal. You know when the referee gets told to look at it he is probably going to chalk it off.

“They have made the call, there is no point me going on about it. I think there was a little bit confusion at the time, whether it was offside or for a foul on the keeper.

“If you take those two together, Jack Hendry was marginally offside and when he steps towards the goalkeeper they have interpreted that as Jack being involved in the play, but I will tell you now there is now way in the world the keeper was saving that no matter where Jack Hendry was.

“You just move on, it is a VAR decision that goes against you.”