Disappointment over Billy Gilmour’s enforced absence may linger, but the Scots were clearly outclassed at Hampden ParkNo one will ever know if Billy Gilmour might have made a difference for Scotland but the overwhelming suspicion is that it was always destined to be Luka Modric’s night.Long before the end, it had become abundantly apparent that a supposedly “past it” Croatia were raging against the dying of their collective light and Modric remains a magnificent, imperiously gifted, footballer. Related: Scotland’s Euro 2020 dreams dashed as Croatia and Modric turn on the style Continue reading...
Kane tried to play his usual dual role but ended up tripping over himself as his attacking colleagues ran in circlesPerhaps it really was the end times. Perhaps it really was the nadir. Perhaps it really was the worst England performance we had seen in a generation. Certainly it will feel that way to Gareth Southgate and his team as they awaken this morning to the scalding verdict of a scornful nation, still seething at being forced to give up a perfectly good Friday night for that.It wasn’t an awful game, as such. But given the froth and bubble of the buildup, it felt just a little hollow, a little oversold: like the slap-up meal that ends up being served...
Gareth Southgate decided not to start Aston Villa man and that caution underpinned England’s dour display against ScotlandWith four minutes to play at Wembley, with a feeling of the air shooting up out of the stadium, possibilities folding in on themselves, with the kilted men in the stands already on their feet, arms spread in a swell of fond, goalless-draw triumphalism, Jack Grealish took a pass and was followed right the way back into his own half by Stephen O’Donnell. Grealish turned and twisted and feinted, like a seahorse twirling across the coral, and eventually drew a knee to the thigh from an exasperated O’Donnell, who was booked as he sprinted back.It is always tempting to see signs and flags....
Unassuming Ayrshire lad put in an impressive shift at Wembley that fully justified Steve Clarke’s faith in his raw talentThe Premier League prominence of Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney, Scott McTominay, John McGinn and Che Adams has enhanced Scotland’s credibility. Tierney’s return from injury for this encounter was a huge boost for Steve Clarke. Yet in Billy Gilmour, the Tartan Army sense a further elevation of standards.Three months after Thomas Tuchel implored Clarke to stick Gilmour in his team – the Scotland manager was entitled to retort that his counterpart at Chelsea had been routinely unwilling to follow his own advice – the 20-year-old’s name leapt out from the Wembley team sheet. Gilmour’s first Scotland start arrived in the most high...
After Patrik Schick’s stunning goal for the Czech Republic, hosts full of hesitation belied their adoption of a Baccara classicSomewhere along the road to Euro 2020 Steve Clarke and his players adopted Yes Sir, I Can Boogie as their anthem and, in many ways, it has proved a great choice.Yet while the 1977 Baccara hit is infinitely more uplifting than Flower of Scotland, a song including the lyrics “you wanna know if I can dance” and “I’m a sensation” could be construed as a slightly overconfident theme tune for a side competing in their first major finals for 23 years. Related: Schick’s halfway line hit helps Czech Republic spoil Scotland’s party Continue reading...