Scotland suffer agonising Croatia defeat to leave Steve Clarke on the brink
CROATIA 2-1 SCOTLAND: Steve Clarke saw his side slump to another disappointing defeat away from home as the pressure continues to ramp up on the former West Brom boss
by Simon Bird · The MirrorHow long can Scotland’s misery go on?
Is there anything else boss Steve Clarke could do to change the miserable run of results that has left him under severe pressure?Probably not, given their lack of killer instinct and finishers up front.
But it’s ten defeats in the last 15 games over the last 13 months, and just one win - against minnows Gibraltar.
And that could spell trouble, unless the SFA see the positives in the performances, and give Clarke leeway in that the top division of the Nations League means tough, ruthless opposition like Croatia.
The story remains the same. Scotland were competitive, certainly not outclassed. They even took the lead through Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie. But goals from Igor Matanovic and Andrej Kramaric made it five defeats in the last six games and nine competitive games without a win.
Clarke was under pressure before this game, and described his pain at recent results saying it as “horrible not winning games.”
Even more horrible when you think you’ve scrambled a draw with a goal in the 95th minute when Kristijan Jakic poked into his own net, only for VAR to rule Che Adams was offside. Cruel.
He wants to take the Tartan Army to the World Cup, believing high class Nations League opposition in the top division will help that mission. It may well raise the competitive standards his players become used to, but confidence and belief has been ebbing.
In a far cry from the celebration of Scotland’s qualifying for the Euros the dip in results, and interest, meant this senior international attracted no interest from broadcasters and was fed out on YouTube.
Christie opened the scoring, seizing on a terrible defensive mistake by Croatia. Teenager Ben Doak, on loan at Boro from Liverpool this season was starting his first game, and produced a key moment. He seemed to have fluffed his cross, failing to hit a teammate, but Luka Sucic miss-kicked the ball towards his own goal, allowing Christie to nip in and finish.
Christie’s first competitive goal for two years for his country, but Scotland’s lead lasted three minutes.
Igor Matanovic grabbed his first international goal smashing home from 16 yards out. It was created by a brilliant lay back into his path, against the grain of play, wrong footing the defence, by Ivan Perisic.
Andrej Kramaric was a danger, testing Craig Gordon, 41, and unexpectedly back in the side for his 75th cap after Angus Gunn’s injury. After the break he saved well from Matanovic and Modric.
Oldie Modric was 23 years older than Doak who was the youngest Scot to start a competitive match since Willie Johnston in 1965, his performance a bright spot.
Scotland were in the game which got stretched and open around the hour but Kramaric ruined the night.
Perisic crossed deep to the back post inviting Borna Sosa to power in a volley which Gordon did well to stop. Kramaric mopped up with a well placed header.
Like Clarke says, horrible results.
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