Steve Clarke was today accused of blowing it after not only selecting a rank-rotten Scotland team to try to win the single ‘must win’ match of their group, but dismissing Nathan Patterson in favour of the hapless Stephen O’Donnell who defended better for the Czech Republic than he did for the home side.
In a disastrous afternoon for Clarke, the NT boss elected to leave most of his best players on the bench, in a match he described as ‘not must win, but we’d like to’. As such, the rather weak XI he put out did their best to have a go, but the gulf in class was rather obvious despite the Czechs not being a particularly strong international side.
But it was watching the abysmal O’Donnell defending forward Ryan Christie which rather summed up Clarke’s selection thinking, and he showed absolute cowardice and no bravery at all in picking a modest XI.
True, Kieran Tierney was taken out of his hands through injury, but if Clarke wanted any hope of starting this tournament even with a draw, he went about it with a truly feeble Scotland XI which left the bulk of the better players benched.
Equally true, Shick’s first goal was stunning and his second out of this world, but despite the majority of possession and shots for the home side, it was the Czechs who looked infinitely more dangerous and used the ball far better.
Clarke’s wimpiness has given his team a mountain to climb now, and while we’re not going to say Patterson would have made all the difference, picking safe rubbish like Stephen O’Donnell was the wrong call and Scotland’s Euros are probably already over before they began.
Carp diem!
Jack Hendry what a miss fit Mr Clarke has some serious thinking to do looked at the team line
up and cold not help but notice the amount ex – Celts players that were in that team today.
Why did he not play with 2 x centre forwards why wait until the horse had bolted at 2-nil before bringing on Adams & the boy Nisbet.
God help the team on Friday at Wembley from what I saw this afternoon this is a team totally lacking in confidence and belief.
Play like this on Friday and we are in for a real hiding,only my opinion ODDONNEL looks out of his depth and standard of football and way of the pace at the closing stages of the game the players looked tired and weary once the 2 goal went in heads went straight down as for Marshall what was he thinking of his serious lack of judgement has cost us dearly hope Mr Hendry does not appear in another Scotland Jersey. Ifs buts maybe.
O’Donnell is rank average and it’s no surprise when he left Kilmarnock the best club he could get was Motherwell and now he’s a Scotland first pick. Ridiculous decision. And what about Billy Gilmour? Possibly their best midfield player and never got a sniff. He may not be a Chelsea regular but he has played and starred in games at the very highest level.
Just watched Spain put total faith in 18 year old Pedri but Clarke can’t find the courage to do likewise with Patterson and Gilmour who are all the men they are ever going to be at 20. Shameful.
And having bottled it against the Czechs I can’t see Clarke throwing Patterson in against England. Though surely Gilmour must play.
Robrob57 agree 100% with all say Hendry dud , O’Donnell dud, Hanley no football ability . All common denominator….green leaning like Clarke . Young Patterson has to start as does Billy Gilmour . Che Adams before Dykes . Personally I have no affinity with this set up sorry.
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