Gordon Strachan’s battlers show art and graft before Scotland joy is cruelly curbed | Ewan Murray


Leigh Griffiths’ majestic brace had Hampden Park daring to dream, but despite a rousing display the lasting impression is of yet more glorious Scottish failure

It probably should not be a shock that new chapters in the extensive back catalogue of glorious Scottish sporting failures are still being written in 2017. How familiar this was; how painfully familiar.

Cold analysis should surround Scotland’s concession of two horrendous goals, the kind that undermine international campaigns and cost managers their job. The goals scored by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Harry Kane were horribly reminiscent of the type Scotland have continually shipped in recent times. Another blunt truth is that a point against England probably is not going to be much use in this World Cup quest, the Scots having been trounced in Slovakia and failed to beat Lithuania at home. They need so much more, plus favours, between now and the campaign’s conclusion.

Related: Harry Kane denies Scotland win over England after Griffiths sparks frantic finish

Related: Gareth Southgate praises Kane while Gordon Strachan sees draw as a defeat

Continue reading...